Ukraine needs additional forces to succeed in counteroffensive – Estonian General Staff

The Chief of the Estonian General Staff, Colonel Eero Rebo, stated this, ERR.ee reports.

He emphasized that the most important events on the front line continue to unfold in Zaporizhzhia region.

"The Ukrainians continue their offensive, they have broken through the Surovikin line, which is good news. The bad news is that it was mainly infantry and they are working to expand the breakthrough area and create conditions for it to continue," Rebo said.

He added that the fiercest fighting is taking place in the area of Verbove and Novopropokivka.

"The Ukrainians' continued success depends on how quickly they can bring in additional reserves and forces," Rebo said.

The head of the Estonian General Staff believes that the Russian attacks in the direction of Lyman and Kreminna are intended to divert the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the Zaporizhzhia direction, but the occupying Russian forces have not succeeded in solving this problem, and Ukraine has been able to stop all attempts to break through for several months.

According to Rebo, what is happening in Bakhmut is important from a moral point of view.

"They are holding the settlements south of Bakhmut in the so-called semi-siege rings, which probably gives them a significant tactical advantage in inflicting losses on the enemy, puts pressure on Russia and creates the need for additional Russian reserves to be brought in, and therefore generally supports Ukrainian activities in Zaporizhzhia and the offensive," he said.

• On Friday, September 8, Ukrainian defenders were successful in the area south of Robotyne.