Ukrainian general shares what prospects await Russian army in south

He said this on the air of the Espreso TV channel.

"The south is a promising direction for us, and for the enemy this strategic direction is more important than the east. Because cutting Novodanilivka - Verbove in the south is preparing for flanking attacks. It is the cutting of the Mala Tokmachka - Tokmak - Berdyansk - Melitopol corridor and the Ukrainian Armed Forces' access to the sea. Then the Russian enemy grouping will be cut off from the east. Strikes on Russian occupiers in the Kherson region will trap the enemy in a huge encirclement. This is their prospect," Malomuzh stressed.

According to the general, Russian enemy will be surrounded. The Defense Forces will keep the enemy exhausted, without the support of ammunition.

"The enemy will either have to surrender or try to break through to Crimea. The Defense Forces will be able to enter Crimea and launch a major operation. Today, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have tactical successes in the south, and this is just the beginning. Now these gains need to be turned into strategic ones. We are not going head-on, we are going from the flanks. If the Ukrainian Armed Forces come in from the rear, the operation will open up a strategic prospect of liberating the south, Crimea and, in parallel, the east. When the enemy is defeated, then the Russian regime will crack," Malomuzh stressed.

Ukrainian Armed Forces' offensive in Zaporizhzhia region

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. Also, over the past week, the Defense Forces de-occupied 1 square kilometer in the Bakhmut sector.

On August 29, Natalia Humeniuk, the Operational Command South spokeswoman, said that invading Russian forces were retreating as Ukrainian troops broke through Russian enemy defense line in Zaporizhzhia region.