Ukrainian troops have broken through the Russian invaders' defense line in Verbove, Zaporizhzhia. Our defenders continue to move forward, albeit not as fast as in the movies about World War II.

This is what Brigadier General and commander of the Tavria operational-strategic group Oleksandr Tarnavsky told CNN. According to him, our troops have succeeded on the left flank of the settlement, and now the main thing is not to lose the initiative.

The publication recalled that Ukrainian troops have claimed to have broken through the "first line" of Russian strongholds in the Zaporizhzhia region in recent weeks. This is a sign that Kyiv is approaching an extensive network of fortified Russian trenches along the southern front.

Ukraine's long-term goal is to break the Russian "land bridge" that connects the temporarily occupied territories in the east with Russia-controlled Crimea.

Tarnavsky expressed his belief that winter will not be an obstacle to the continuation of the counteroffensive of the Defense Forces, as Ukrainian soldiers are advancing mostly without equipment and in small groups. The biggest breakthrough on the front is still ahead. For further success, Ukrainian forces need to reach at least the city of Tokmak in the Zaporizhzhia region.

ISW reported that on September 22, the Ukrainian Defense Forces made progress in Donetsk and western Zaporizhzhia regions. In particular, they managed to advance southeast of Klishchiivka near Bakhmut and north of Novoprokopivka in the Melitopol direction.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- Veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war, reserve major of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksiy Hetman said that the so-called Surovikin line is a well-fortified line of defense of the Russian occupation forces. However, the Ukrainian Defense Forces know how to overcome such obstacles and will do it quickly enough.

- President Zelensky said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces will de-occupy Bakhmut and two other key cities. According to him, the Ukrainian command already has a detailed plan for this.

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