Ukraine's official says Russia builds new defense line near Mariupol

This was stated by the advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andriushchenko, on Espreso TV.

"It started after the first information about the withdrawal of the Russian Federation a few days before our General Staff officially announced that we control Urozhaine. We saw a large number of retreating military in Nikolske. They themselves told the locals that they had received such an order. The Russian soldiers immediately started digging a new line of trenches and defenses," he said.

According to Petro Andriushchenko, there is a danger for the Russian army in Nikolske village if they retreat or advance from the Polohy direction. There is also a risk of a front breakthrough near Vuhledar. This would open the way for the Defense Forces to reach Mariupol.

"Actually, it will be the first serious line of defense in front of Mariupol. There are two large forests there: Nikolskyi and Fedorivskyi where the Russians are already based in large numbers, but have not dug in so deeply, and now they have brought their "treasure" from the trenches and are going to fortify themselves," the deputy mayor noted.

In addition, another line of defense, built by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, will run through Nikolske to Mariupol. In Manhush, where the "road of life" passes, the situation is the same. The Russian troops are preparing for the front line to move quickly to Mariupol, as the Defense Forces know where the enemy has mined bridges.

• On August 16, the Ukrainian military liberated Urozhaine in the Donetsk region.