The situation remains tented on the front lines of Zaporozhye, where the Armed Forces of Ukraine have launched a new wave of large-scale offensive operations in recent days.
After a prolonged pause accompanied by some attempted attacks near Orekhovo, Ukrainian forces recently resumed their massive offensive in the area. As a result of two weeks of fierce fighting, the Ukrainian army finally managed to extend its control over the zone and enter the village of Pyatikhatki. On the morning of June 19, Ukrainian soldiers shot a video in which they claim to control the settlement. Russian units reportedly withdrew from the village in advance.
CONTINUE READING
Is Cyprus being reinforced with armored vehicles? Israel's Merkava will replace 41 T-80U/UK tanks that were donated to Ukraine
In total, Ukrainian forces reportedly managed to advance up to 2.5 kilometers deep from the original front lines. In clearing mines and clearing paths through the Russian defenses, the Ukrainians used US-supplied M58 "Mine Clearing Line Charge" mine-clearing systems.
The Ukrainian gains resulted in heavy losses to the advancing units. Footage from just one of the battles confirmed that Ukrainian forces lost at least three T-72 tanks, one BMP-1, one BRM-1K reconnaissance vehicle and two armored vehicles. Ukrainian forces in the village are also constantly bombarded by Russian artillery, as well as Russian TOS Solntsepek systems.
Ukrainian forces have yet to secure their stronghold in the region, while the Russian army is expected to launch counterattacks, as it has done in other settlements in the Zaporizhia region. The Ukrainian army already claimed control of the village several days ago, but was forced to retreat.
Control of the village of Piatikhatki opens the way for Ukrainian attacks on the eastern flanks of the Russian concentration in Kamenskoe located on the bank of the Kahovka Hydroelectric Dam. The village is also on the road leading to the town of Vasilievka, where the Ukrainian army is expected to launch attacks in the near future.
In the other areas, the front lines remain unchanged. To the south of Orekhovo, heavy fighting is underway in Rabotino.
Heavy fighting continues south of Velikaya Novoselka, where Russian units hold advantageous positions on strategic heights.
The village of Novodonyetskoe remains under the control of marines of the Russian Pacific Fleet. At the same time, another group of Ukrainian marines was destroyed near the village of Urozainoe.
In recent days, the number of Ukrainian soldiers surrendering to the front lines has increased significantly. In the midst of the heavy losses of the Ukrainian army in the long-awaited counter-offensive, the Ukrainians are not willing to be used as cannon fodder and are surrendering in whole groups and units, saving their lives from the meat grinder that awaits them ahead.
