Military expert explains why recapturing Robotyne is important

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a statement by military expert Oleksiy Hetman.

He clarifies that the settlement itself is of little use from a military standpoint. The square kilometers and what is on them are far more important.

"Why is the village not of fundamental importance? Of course, it is important that we liberated it. But we are not fighting for individual villages, we are trying to break through a powerful defense. Therefore, we should focus not on Robotyne itself, but on the fact that we have passed the first line, are close to the second, and in some places will soon begin to break through it," he emphasized.

According to Hetman, the military should do everything necessary to make it impossible for the adversary to move, bring in munitions, and so on. As a result, the roadways and dominant heights are being taken under control first.

"Remember what it was like near Bakhmut, and before that near Severodonetsk and Lysychansk. Fierce battles were fought not for the cities themselves, but for the roads that supplied them," he added.

The liberation of Robotyne

On August 21, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were successful near Robotyne and south of Mala Tokmachka in the Zaporizhzhia region.

On August 22, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated that the Ukrainian military had succeeded in the direction of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region, and were consolidating the lines they had reached. At the same time, the Russian army is relocating its troops and using reserves.

Also on August 22, Ukrainian defenders of the 47th separate mechanized brigade entered the village of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region, and organized the evacuation of civilians. Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier Viktor Burlyk reported that the Ukrainian army had entered Robotyne, but that Russian units were still on the outskirts. 

On August 23, soldiers of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade raised a Ukrainian flag with Commander-in-chief Zaluzhnyi's signature in the village of Robotyne in the Melitopol direction.

Later, the Institute for the Study of War noted that the Ukrainian Defense Forces had made further tactically significant gains in the western part of Zaporizhzhia region, and were likely advancing through a complex array of Russian troops’ defensive positions.

On August 28, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry confirmed liberation of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia region.