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Kiev forces have reportedly made their first gains since launching their so-called spring counteroffensive on the Zaporozhye and south Donetsk sectors exactly a week ago.
The WarGonzo channel on Telegram said that Kiev forces were able to capture the village of Lobkove in Zaporozhye on June 11 after fierce clashes with the Russian military. Footage from the ground showed Ukrainian vehicles moving in the village and helicopters flying over the frontline in Zaporozhye region.
Russian troops withdrew to prepared defensive lines that overlooks Lobkove. Kiev forces are likely preparing to launch an attack from the village. However, higher ground will give Russian artillery and anti-armor means an advantage.
The Russian withdrawal from the villages mimics defensive maneuvers which were conducted on the south Donetsk sector when the Ukrainian counteroffensive first began on June 4.
Kiev forces sustained catastrophic losses while attempting to attack over the past week. Many of their German-made Leopard 2 and American-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles have already been destroyed or damaged. Nevertheless, they still possess enough manpower and equipment to attempt to break through Russian defense lines in the Zaporozhye and south Donetsk sectors.
The initial success in Lobkove will encourage the Kiev regime to further develop its counteroffensive. Pressure on the Russian military will likely increase in the upcoming few days.
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