Ukraine rushed to break through the defense line, Russia urgently reinforced the `steel wall`
(Dan Tri) – Russian forces on the Zaporizhia front are focusing their efforts on reinforcing defenses around the strategic town in the face of Ukraine’s relentless penetration efforts in recent times.
Ukrainian soldiers open fire in the front line area (Photo: Reuters).
The British Ministry of Defense said that Russian forces are reinforcing the `steel wall` line in the town of Tokmak, a strategic area in Zaporizhia because of concerns about Ukraine’s continuous breakthrough into this area in recent days.
`In recent days, Russian forces may have strengthened their defenses around the town of Tokmak in southern Ukraine,` the British Ministry of Defense report said.
Tokmak, about 16km from the current front line in Zaporizhzhia, is on the route to the city of Melitopol and ends at the Sea of Azov.
Ukraine’s military said earlier this month that Kiev’s counteroffensive had breached Russia’s first line of defense around the town of Robotyne northeast of Tokmak.
Ukraine announced in late August that it had regained control of Robotyne from Russia, while a pro-Moscow official in Zaporizhia claimed that Russia had `tactically withdrawn` from the area.
Ukrainian officials believe that Russia has put resources into building the first layer of the defense line around Robotyne and the second layer may not be as sturdy.
`Tokmak is preparing to become a pillar in Russia’s second layer of defense,` the British side commented.
According to the British Ministry of Defense, Russia’s upgrade of Tokmak’s defense system `may indicate Russia’s growing concern about Ukraine’s tactical penetration of the defense line it has been building for many months.
Ukrainian officials said Russian forces are setting up checkpoints and anti-tank barriers in Tokmak.
The British side commented: `Russia may deploy additional checkpoints, hedgehog-style anti-tank defense systems and dig new trenches in the area held by the country’s 58th General Armed Forces.`
This move took place in the context that the Ukrainian General Staff said its soldiers were continuing to attack Russian positions towards Melitopol, causing Moscow to suffer significant losses in manpower and equipment, forcing
Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Ukraine had `partial success` around the village of Verbove, east of Robotyne.
The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that Ukrainian forces attacking Russia’s defense system on the Southern front may have made significant tactical advances near Robotyne.
According to ISW, Ukrainian soldiers continue to advance deep into the area around Russia’s defense system.