Russian troops advance deep into Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region

The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces had captured Rivnopillya, putting the southern town of Huliaipole at risk of being targeted by Russian pincer operations. It also said Russian forces had captured Mala Tokmachka, just 9 kilometers from Orikhiv.

“It is difficult to overestimate the importance of this village for the defense of Orikhiv,” said Yuri Podolyaka, one of Russia’s leading war bloggers, adding that Mala Tokmachka was essentially “the gateway to Orikhiv.”

Zaporizhzhia warrior — A map of the Russia-Ukraine war shows Russian forces advancing deep into the Zaporizhzhia region and heading towards the province's capital of the same name. Photo: ISW

Zaporizhzhia Oblast (pink) with Zaporizhia city (red). Photo: CC

Russia says it controls about 75% of the Zaporizhzhia region, meaning Ukraine still holds about 7,000 square kilometers there, including the capital city of Zaporizhzhia, which had a pre-war population of more than 700,000.

Last week, Ukraine’s top general said fighting had worsened in several areas of the Zaporizhzhia front, including around the town of Huliaipole. Kiev’s military said its troops had withdrawn from several villages in the area.

With a smaller army than Russia, Ukraine is struggling to shore up its defenses in the east of the country, facing intense artillery and drone attacks from highly mobile Russian units.

Ukrainian soldiers and commanders say they do not have enough troops to hold many defensive positions, despite thousands of drones flying over the battlefield.

Russia controls about 19% of Ukraine, or 115,476 square kilometers, up just one percent from two years ago. Moscow wants to take control of all of Donbass, including Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as the two other provinces of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, which it has annexed.

Source: https://congluan.vn/quan-doi-nga-tien-sau-vao-vung-zaporizhzhia-cua-ukraine-10318049.html