Couple of reports in the last few hours that Ukrainian light infantry forces/recon elements have entered the secondary line of Russian defenses around Verbove.
Some videos have been posted by Ukrainian sources showing infantry clearing what is claimed to be part of the second line of trenches defending the west of the town. Other videos have been posted showing infantry claiming to be inside the main line of Russian defenses to the southeast of Robotyne. Russian videos have also gone up, showing them shelling their own defensive fortifications in these same areas, which likely confirms some of the Ukrainian claims.
Ukrainian tactics in the last few weeks in this area have alternated between small but short/sharp armoured engagements against specific targets (fixed defensive points, identified enemy armour) and creeping advances using light infantry (sometimes with forces as small as a pair of squads), supported by round the clock artillery.
It's slow going, but Ukrainian higher ups are expecting that the advance will accelerate as more forces make it past the initial line of Russian defenses. They are reporting significantly fewer minefields and in less density once that initial line has been breached.
www.abc.net.au
