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Now it looks like the Ukrainian counteroffensive has really begun. Attacks reported by the Ukrainian military Around the front row. In the south, the most intense fighting appears in the Zaporizhia region. If Ukraine could go through the Sea of ​​Azov, Kherson and Crimea isolated From other areas occupied by Russia.

Radical nationalist military bloggers report heavy Ukrainian attacks and partial victories in Zaporizhia. Ukraine is said to have seized the area around Lobko, although this has not been confirmed. The bulk of the artillery fire was concentrated in the direction between Orichiv and Dogmak. Dogmak is an important center located about 40 kilometers from the front line.

According to official Russian sources, there have been several Ukrainian attacks in Zaporizhia. The Russians claim to have rejected it, but that cannot be verified.

Ukraine says the center of fighting is in the Donbass, in eastern Ukraine, and has limited details about the offensive in the south. According to Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar, the Russians are conducting defensive operations in the south. She did not elaborate on the situation there.

Russia says many Ukrainian tanks are massed in the south. In any case, it is certain that the German Panther 2 tanks of the Ukrainian army are operating near Orychiv. Shown by pictures Through it D Volkskrant have been verified.

Independent Experts from the Think Tank for the Study of War (ISW) To conclude There have been several Ukrainian attacks in Zaporizhia. They are partially repulsed because the Russians have built several defense lines there. However, Ukraine is not using all the military resources at its disposal, ISW notes. The first attacks may have been a pin prick to see how the Russians would react.

According to ISW, Russia may have stationed its best troops in the south. This partly explains why Ukrainian attacks are now being successfully repelled. Elsewhere in the country, Russian defense capabilities may be limited.

Joram Bolle

read more: Attacked at various locations on the Ukrainian front, Leopard 2 was first spotted