Ukrainian forces burst through Russian lines in major southern advance

Ukrainian forces made their greatest breakthrough in the country’s south since the war started. They broke through Russian lines Monday and advanced rapidly along the Dnipro River. This threatened supply lines for thousands Russian troops.

Although Kyiv did not provide any information on the gains, Russian sources confirmed that a Ukrainian tank offensive had advanced along the river's west banks, capturing several villages.

This breakthrough is a reflection of recent Ukrainian successes in east which have changed the tide in war against Russia. Moscow tried to increase the stakes by annexed territory, ordering mobilisation, and threatening nuclear retaliation.

Russian state television reported that Vladimir Saldo (the Russian-installed leader of the occupied areas of Ukraine's Kherson Province) said: "The information was tense,"

"There is a settlement called Dudchany right next to the Dnipro River and there was a breakthrough right there." He said that there are many settlements which are being occupied by Ukrainian forces.

Dudchany lies approximately 30km (20 miles) south from the point where the front was before the breakthrough. This indicates the fastest advance in the war so far. The south is where Russian forces have been dug into reinforced positions along a mostly static front line since the beginning of the invasion.

Although Kyiv has not yet provided an account, military officials and regional officials have released some details.

According to the Defence Ministry, soldiers from Ukraine's 128th Mountain Assault Brigade raised Ukraine's yellow and blue flags in Myrolyubivka (a village located between the former front of the Dnipro), according to a video.

Anton Gerashchenko was an advisor to Ukraine's interior ministry and posted a photo showing Ukrainian soldiers with their flag draped over a golden statue representing an angel in a village called Mikhailivka. It is located on the riverbank around 20km beyond the previous front.

Serhiy Khlan (a member of the Kherson regional council) also listed Osokorivka Mykhailivka Khreschenikvka und Zoloto Balka among the villages that were recaptured or where Ukrainian troops had been photographed.

He said: "It means our armed forces moving powerfully along Dnipro banks nearer to Beryslav." Officially, this information is not yet available, but (Russian) social media sites that are panicking... confirm these photos."

SIMILAR TACTICS FOR EAST

The southward advance mirrors the tactics that have made Kyiv significant gains since September, when its forces quickly seized territory in order to take control of Russian supply lines. This allowed them to cut off larger Russian forces, forcing them to retreat.

Within hours of a concert in Moscow's Red Square, Friday, where Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia provinces Russian territory for ever, Ukraine seized Lyman, the main Russian stronghold in the Donetsk region.

This has allowed it to move deep into Luhansk, threatening the main supply routes to territory Moscow seized in the bloodiest battles of June and July.

The advance of Ukraine in the south targets supplies lines for up to 25,000 Russian troops along the west bank Dnipro. The main bridges have been destroyed by Ukraine, so the Russian forces are forced to use makeshift crossings. They could be cut off completely by a significant advance downriver.

"The fact that we have broken through this front means that...the Russian army has already lost its ability to attack, today and tomorrow it could lose their ability to defend," stated Oleh Zhdanov (a military analyst based at Kyiv).

"After destroying their supplies and reducing their combat effectiveness, we have spent a month ensuring that they can function on very low rations of ammunition, fuel, and food.

Putin responded to Russia's defeats on the battlefield in the last month by increasing - declaring the annexation and calling up tens or thousands of men as reserve soldiers, and threatening nuclear retaliation.

Russia's declining fortunes have caused a shift of mood in once-glowing state media. Talkshow hosts are now acknowledging setbacks, and looking for scapegoats.

"For a period of time, it won't be easy." "We shouldn't expect good news right away," stated Vladimir Solovyov (the most prominent state TV presenter).

Russian media reported Monday (3 October) that the commander of Russia's western military region, which borders Ukraine has been fired. This is the latest in a string of high-ranking officials to be fired following defeats.

requested that Ramzan Kadyrov (the pro-Putin leader in Russia's Chechnya region who commands a personal armoured) be stripped of all his medals and sent to battle.

Kadyrov also stated that Russia should have a nuclear weapon. Putin and other officials have stated that they could use nuclear weapons in order to protect Russian territory, including newly annexed territories, but they have so far resisted the temptation to say they would.

When Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, was asked about Kadyrov’s comments, he said that it was a very emotional moment.

He said: "Emotions should not be included in any assessment even during difficult times."

Putin's second big gamble, Russia’s first mass military mobilization since World War Two, has been a disaster. Thousands of Russian soldiers have been called up while others have fled to other countries. Western countries claim that Moscow does not have the resources and manpower necessary to train or equip new conscripts.

Mikhail Degtyarev (governor of the Khabarovsk Region in Russia's Far East) said Monday that around half of those who were called up had been declared unfit, and sent home. He also fired the regional military commissar.

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