Ukrainian armored vehicles have pushed through Russian lines of defense near the southern village of Verbove, a local commander told The Washington Post on Saturday. This is the first major breakthrough for the Ukrainian forces since the war erupted in April 2023, following Russia’s invasion and annexation of Crimea.
The commander, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, said that his unit had encountered little resistance from the Russian troops, who seemed to be caught off guard by the surprise attack. He said that his unit had destroyed several Russian tanks and armored personnel carriers, and captured some prisoners.
The commander said that the objective of the operation was to create a corridor for the Ukrainian forces to advance towards the strategic port city of Mariupol, which has been under siege by the Russian-backed separatists for months. He said that the operation was coordinated with other units along the front line, and that he expected more gains in the coming days.
A response from Moscow
The Russian Defense Ministry denied that the Ukrainian forces had made any significant progress, and accused them of violating the ceasefire agreement that was brokered by Germany and France in August 2023. The ministry said that the Ukrainian forces had launched a “provocative and aggressive” attack on the Russian positions, and that the Russian troops had repelled them with “appropriate measures”.
The ministry also said that it had evidence that the Ukrainian forces were using banned weapons, such as cluster munitions and incendiary bombs, against civilian targets. It said that it had documented several cases of civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure in the area.
The ministry warned that it would not tolerate any further escalation of the conflict, and that it reserved the right to take “all necessary steps” to protect its national interests and security. It also called on the international community to pressure Ukraine to stop its “military adventure” and return to the negotiating table.
A reaction from Washington
The White House expressed its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and condemned Russia’s “continued aggression” in eastern Ukraine. The White House said that it was closely monitoring the situation on the ground, and that it was in contact with its allies and partners in Europe.
The White House also said that it was providing Ukraine with “robust assistance”, including defensive weapons, training, intelligence, and humanitarian aid. It said that it was ready to increase its support if necessary, and that it was exploring additional sanctions against Russia and its proxies.
The White House urged Russia to respect the ceasefire agreement, and to withdraw its troops and equipment from Ukraine’s territory. It also called on Russia to engage in a constructive dialogue with Ukraine and the other parties involved in the peace process, under the auspices of the Normandy format.
