Ukrainian offensive in summer 2023, based on the data provided by the Ukrainian military officials
The counteroffensive of the Kiev regime has been ongoing for 13 weeks. During three months of bloody attacks on the southern and eastern frontlines, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) managed to slightly advance in the southern DPR and the Zaporozhye region. According to the official data of the Ukrainian military, less than 250 square kilometers were captured and the AFU took control of 12 small villages. However, most of them are rather in the grey zone or under close Russian fire control.
Despite the Kiev’s claims that the village of Rabotino, which became the main battlefield in the Zaporozhie region in the recent weeks, allegedly came under Ukrainian control long ago, heavy battles have been ongoing there for the central and southern parts of the settlement.
Only on the evening of September 1, some Russian sources confirmed that the Russian military left their military positions in the south of Rabotino and were forced to retreat southward to another line of defence near the village. Some reports claimed that fighting is still ongoing on the southern outskirts.
Half of Rabotino reportedly remains in the grey zone. Russian forces continue local counterattacks, heavily shelling the Ukrainian grouping in the village. After the reported Russian withdrawal from their positions, Russian aviation began pounding the AFU with heavy bombs. By evening, the AFU attempted to transfer additional forces on the US Bradley BMPs to the area in an attempt to strengthen the strongholds.
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Three US Strykers destroyed in one area on the Zaporozhie front:
Ukrainian servicemen burned down 18+:
More Ukrainian losses:
The Ukrainian and NATO military command expected to take control of the small village in the first days of counteroffensive. However, they faced fierce resistance of Russian servicemen and their well prepared defences. As a result, the battle has been ongoing there for more than two months. Several Ukrainian units were destroyed in the Russian minefields and in fighting for Rabotino, where there are only four streets and one concrete building of the local school located in the south, which could serve as the only stronghold in the area. All the private houses were immediately destroyed by the battles.
School in Rabotino
Suffering the horrific losses, the Ukrainian military command was forced to deploy the 82nd Separate Assault Brigade from the strategic reserve several weeks ago. This manoeuvre helped to force the Russians to retreat to the southern outskirts.
Failed evacuation of wounded Ukrainian serviceman:
Russian FPV drones in action:
The battle for Novoprokopovka located to the south of Rabotino is yet to begin. At the same time, Russian forces are still in control of the fields to west of Rabotino, as well as other villages in the area, including Kopani, Verbovoe, Novofedorovka. They threaten the further Ukrainian advance to the south towards Tokmak.
As a result, the Ukrainian military is forced to expand the zone of control to straighten the front. While their attacks on Verbovoe led to no victories, the AFU have recently attempted to advance in the steppes to the east of Rabotino. They have recently slightly advanced on the Rabotino-Verbovoe line. The Ukrainian military command likely plans to bypass the settlements and threaten the Russian grouping deployed north of Verbovoe with partial encirclement, forcing them to retreat.
