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Tanks traps, trenches and thousands of mines have hampered Ukraine\u2019s forward progress in the region, but a breakthrough appears underway.<\/p>\n
After weeks of mine clearing and heavy fighting, Kyiv\u2019s forces have breached Russia\u2019s main defence, according to Brig Gen Oleksandr Tarnavskiy.<\/p>\n
Following the capture of Robotyne, the top Ukrainian general told The Observer that his forces were \u201cnow between the first and second defensive lines\u201d.<\/p>\n
He estimated that Russia committed 60 percent of its defensive efforts to the first line of defence – and a breakthrough would be crucial for Ukraine as its troops push towards the Black Sea.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> Nuclear war ‘inevitable’ after Putin’s Ukraine invasion warns Russian general[REPORT] <\/strong><\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Ukraine\u2019s forces were reportedly attempting to widen the breach at Robotyne by attacking east\/southeast of the village towards Verbove where they have reportedly made advances.<\/p>\n \u201cGeolocated footage published on September 7 indicates that Ukrainian forces have made further advances northwest of Verbove (18km southwest of Orikhiv) in western Zaporizhia Oblast,\u201d the Institute for the Study of War said in an update.<\/p>\n The think tank covering the Ukraine war added that geolocated footage from the area a day earlier showed \u201cburning foliage in a tree line roughly a kilometre northwest of Verbove, suggesting that Russian forces are firing on advancing Ukrainian forces in the area\u201d.<\/p>\n Although there is a long way to go, Ukraine\u2019s advancement on this axis puts it one step closer towards its goal of reaching the Black Sea and splitting Russian forces in the country in half.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Ukraine-war-video-Russia-latest-4949479.jpg?r=1694164645646\")
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