Russian army retreats in Zaporizhzhia direction – OC South

Natalia Humeniuk, the Operational Command South spokeswoman, stated this during a telethon. 

"As our troops continue their direct advancement, the enemy is unable to regroup their breached defenses. Consequently, they end up in a state of 'breakthrough' after some time. This means our geographical progress clearly indicates the enemy's forces are indeed retreating," stated the spokesperson.

Humeniuk highlighted the vital importance of each liberated settlement by the Defense Forces for Ukraine.

"The forward movement of our Defense Forces exerts significant psychological pressure on the enemy, serving as a potent tool in this hybrid warfare context," she underscored.

Furthermore, Humeniuk elaborated that every recaptured settlement provides an opportunity to establish a firm foothold and establish additional defensive perimeters around it. This strategic approach aims to prevent dislodgement and enhance precision in countering the enemy's future defensive strategies.

Updates on the Armed Forces' offensive in Zaporizhzhia region

On August 21, the Defense Ministry said that our forces had success near Robotyne and south of Mala Tokmachka in the Zaporizhzhia region.

The next day, August 22, the Ukrainian military did well near Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia. They secured their positions there, while Russian soldiers were shifting their troops and bringing in backups.

Then, on Tuesday, August 22, soldiers from the 47th separate mechanized brigade entered the village of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia. They also helped civilians leave the area. A Ukrainian military officer, Viktor Burlyk, said that our troops have liberated Robotyne, but some Russian units were still close by.

By Wednesday, August 23, the soldiers from the 47th separate mechanized brigade proudly raised the Ukrainian flag with Zaluzhnyi's signature in Robotyne, towards Melitopol.

On August 23, soldiers from the 47th brigade raised the Ukrainian flag in Robotyne, Melitopol direction.

Later, it was reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces continued counteroffensive operations near Robotyne in western Zaporizhzhia region on August 25 and advanced as Russian "military commanders" expressed concern about the lack of reinforcements and rotation in the area.

Later, the Institute for the Study of War noted that the Defense Forces made further tactically significant gains in the western part of Zaporizhzhia region, and are likely to advance through a complex series of Russian occupiers' defensive positions.

On August 27, Ukrainian forces advanced south from Robotyne to Novoprokopivka village. Occupiers suffered losses, transferring troops from other areas.

On August 28, Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Maliar announced the Ukrainian military's liberation of Robotyne village in Zaporizhzhia region. In the past week, the Defense Forces regained 1 sq. km towards the Bakhmut direction.