Ukraine clears minefield leading to breakthrough of Russian line
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Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations on at least three sectors of the front on August 19, and advanced along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line and in western Zaporizhia Oblast. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations in the Berdyansk (Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area) and Melitopol (western Zaporizhia Oblast) directions.[17] Ukrainian Eastern Group of Forces Spokesperson Colonel Serhiy Cherevaty stated that Ukrainian forces continue to maintain the initiative in the Bakhmut direction.[18] Geolocated footage published on August 16 indicates that Ukrainian forces recently made limited advances east of Nevelske (directly west of Donetsk City).[19] Additional geolocated footage published on August 19 indicates that Ukrainian forces advanced north of Robotyne in western Zaporizhia Oblast.[20] CBS News reported on August 18 that anonymous US officials stated that Ukrainian forces are advancing in the direction of Tokmak (a major Russian stronghold in western Zaporizhia Oblast) and have cleared a Russian minefield north of Tokmak.[21] US officials are likely referring to recent Ukrainian advances north and east of Robotyne (about 23km northeast of Tokmak). ISW previously assessed that recent Ukrainian advances near small settlements in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area and in western Zaporizhia are likely tactically significant because of the structure of Russian defensive lines.[22] These advances may allow Ukrainian forces to begin operating in less heavily mined areas of the Russian line of defense that are likely more conducive to more rapid Ukrainian gains.[23]
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CBS is reporting:
Ukraine breaks through Russia’s first line of defense near Tokmak
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have broken through a minefield and have succeeded in their offensive on Tokmak, Zaporizhzhya Oblast, CBS News reported on Aug. 18, citing U.S. officials.
Ukrainian troops had broken through to the north of Tokmak and were now engaged in a battle with the first line of Russian defense holding the city, the official said.
Liberating Tokmak and then advancing to Melitopol will be a difficult task for the Ukrainian counteroffensive, which has been making gradual gains since the beginning of this summer, argued CBS.
Read also: Progress in counteroffensive, Ukrainian fencer disqualified, difficult winter ahead
One of the goals of the Ukrainian counteroffensive is to advance south through powerful Russian fortifications in order to recapture the occupied city of Melitopol, the gateway to Crimea, the outlet noted.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces counteroffensive: what is known
A new phase of Ukraine's counteroffensive began in late July, with the main blow coming from the southeast, where Ukrainian troops are gradually advancing through minefields and under attack by Russian aircraft, reported The New York Times.
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Getting through the Russian minefileds is no small task, but it appears Ukraine is making progress in that objective which could lead to a more rapid advance.
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"Across the front, both sides confront a similar challenge: attempting to defeat well-entrenched forces while having limited uncommitted forces to open new assaults."
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It said the relatives had to pay between 100,000 and 150,0000 rubles — between $1,000 and $1,500 — to get their loved ones back.
"The commissars justify such a scheme by saying the body is in an inconvenient location for transportation," the report read.
Insider was unable to independently verify the claim. However, there have been reported instances of Russian army officers being accused of mishandling the bodies of their dead troops.
An ex-convict Russian soldier identified only as Aleksandr told The New York Times that he had been ordered not to collect the bodies of his comrades. He said this was because officers wanted to register the dead men as "missing in action" so they wouldn't have to pay compensation to their families.
"There were bodies everywhere," Aleksandr said to the Times. "No one was interested in collecting them."
Russia has hardly given any statistics for its number of war dead. Russia's defense minister Sergei Shoigu claimed in September 2022 — almost a year ago — that 6,000 Russian soldiers died in the first six months of the war.
Researchers working with the BBC said in August that more than 30,000 dead Russian soldiers had been identified by name, suggesting an overall death toll far larger.
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