Ukraine advances in Zaporizhzhia sector forcing Russia to abandon positions. Column by Serhiy Zgurets

Situation at the front

Ukraine's General Staff reported that the Defense Forces had undertaken measures around Robotyne. It is worth noting that the enemy has been trying to put pressure on the Ukrainian Armed Forces bridgehead from the flanks for a long time. The attacks by the Russian army's airborne assault regiments were supposed to complicate the situation.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces fended off Russian attacks in the direction of Robotyne. That is, the Russian forces pushed from the west, but the attacks were repelled. There were also reports from Verbove, near Robotyne, that the Ukrainian Defense Forces advanced, forcing the Russian troops to abandon some positions. This is just to the east of Robotyne, where Ukrainian troops entered the Russian defense line and gained a foothold. Later, the Ukrainian Armed Forces were pushed back, and now, probably, the Ukrainian military has the appropriate capabilities in this area of the front.

Constant counterattacks continue. Therefore, the further situation will depend on forces, reserves, and the artillery's effectiveness.

Key goal of NATO-Ukraine Council meeting

If Ukraine's proposal is accepted, the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council will focus on measures to strengthen air defense. Amid Russia's attacks on Ukraine, it is necessary to speed up the transfer of new models of air defense systems from partners, as well as to accelerate the processes related to the training of pilots to use F-16s in the air defense system. It is important that this mechanism yields results and strengthens air defense.

Draft law on mobilization: military and political realities

The draft law on mobilization is currently being discussed. MP Honcharenko said that there is already a second version of the draft law, which changes and shifts some emphasis.

The military is discussing it. First of all, the name of the law needs to be changed to "Law on recruitment", and the government should start with itself. "There are internal reserves of the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, where they can free up some people and send them to strengthen the units they consider necessary. The state authorities can also replace some people with women, recruit some volunteers to the army, and we can release others by carrying out reforms in the security and defense sector, in particular, the clothing and housing system should be eliminated," said Pavlo Kyshkar, deputy commander of the artillery division, major, MP of the VIII convocation.

According to him, people should be released and sent after training to strengthen those units that need it, and these things should be replaced with payments. If we are talking about material property, there should be two payments - summer and winter. When it comes to housing, it should be replaced with a one-time payment for the housing purchase. 

"The government should show by example how to join the mobilization. Local governments, state authorities, the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other military formations involved in the security and defense sector and repelling military aggression should set an example. We have to invite people, conduct recruitment among young people and those who want to be involved," noted Pavlo Kyshkar.