26 August 2023

Ukrainian forces 'reach centre of key village' amid fierce fighting

Benedict Smith and Nataliya Vasilyeva

Fierce fighting is reportedly taking place in a key village on the war’s southern front after Ukrainian troops forced their way into the centre of Robotyne.

Military Informant, a pro-Russian blogger, said Kyiv’s forces had reached the “central part of the settlement” but were being held back by the 810th brigade and artillery.

Another Telegram channel with more than 900,000 subscribers said: “Robotyne - the enemy has entered the central part, there are fierce battles.”

Geolocated footage last week showed Ukraine had breached Russia’s northern line of defences around Robotyne. Reports indicate they did so under the cover of cluster munitions.

The settlement is strategically significant because it allows Ukraine to launch assaults on the city of Tokmak, as it pushes south towards Melitopol in a bid to cut Russia’s so-called “land bridge” to Crimea.

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