Line, where the main striking groups will be engaged to break Staromaiorske, stabilise the flanks, and advance to the second 'The process is therefore entirely logical – first, take Location,' he said in an interview with Ukrainian media. Occupiers, the peak of the second defensive line in this 'It really serves as a stronghold for the Russian Ukrainian troops now needed to reach Staromlynivka, another village about three miles away. Oleksandr Kovalenko, a Ukrainian military analyst, said That could force Russian troops further south, to a second line of defence closer to the coast. Recapturing that would allow Ukraine's armed forces to attack a nearby Russian fortified area from three sides. It gives them a launchpad to attack the nearby village of Priiutnoe, which remains under Russian control. Ukraine sees this as an opportunity to make in-roads, the first domino to fall in the area.

The village itself is tiny - barely more than a few streets in a grid formation.īut President Zelenskyy is already trumpeting this as a major moment, in a counteroffensive that is currently proving sluggish.

Russian military bloggers have now confirmed that Ukrainian forces have taken part of the village that was the focus of Ukraine's attacks in recent days. At 7.17pm we reported Ukraine's claim that it had recaptured the village of Staromaiorske in the Donetsk region, in a video shared by President Zelenskyy.

Modern day tank round