File image.
On December 9, the Russian military captured another settlement in Dnepropetrovsk, all while maintaining pressure on Kiev forces in neighboring Zaporozhye.
Ostapovskoye, located in the area where the Yanchur River splits from the Haichur River in Dnepropetrovsk, was captured by the Vostok [East] Group of Forces, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, which noted in a statement that the attack on the settlement was led by the the 36th Separate Guards Motorised Rifle Brigade of the 29th Army.
“The Group’s control moved over an area of more than 5 square kilometres, including an important AFU (Armed Forces of Ukraine) defence facility, which was important for holding the lines in this area,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The enemy’s withdrawal to the north led to the isolation of the AFU units located in Andreyevka. The destruction of the bridge across the Gaychur River deprived the enemy of the ability to supply reserves and materiel means,” it continued.
“The liberation of Ostapovskoye creates a threat to the enemy to lose the defensive line along the Gaychur River and forms preconditions for further development of the offensive,” the ministry added.
Kiev forces reportedly lost a company of troops in addition to ten pieces of military equipment during the battle in Ostapovskoye.
Quickly after capturing the settlement, the Vostok Group of Forces advanced northward. Russian troops stormed Andreevka, located right on the Haichur. Most of the settlement has been already captured, according to preliminary reports.
Further south along the Haichur in Zaporozhye, the Vostok Group of Forces continue to battle Kiev forces inside Varvarivka, as well as in the area north of the key city of Huliapole. Gains were reported in both areas, although details remain scarce.
Intense Russian air and artillery strikes continue to target Ukrainian positions within Huliapole ahead of an expected large-scale assault.
To the west in Zaporozhye, the Vostok Group of Forces resumed their advance in the Orikhiv direction. According to recent reports from this direction, most of Novodanilovka, located to the south of Orikhiv, has been already captured by Russian troops.
All in all, recent events indicate that the Ukrainian collapse between Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye has not stopped, despite recent counterattacks by Kiev forces, mainly along the Haichur line. The battle inside Huliapole will likely heat up before the end of the year and become the focal point of operations for the Vostok Group of Forces.
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makes great history lesson text books stuff for the conquering heroes liberating ukraine later down the plot line clearly scripted well in advance about 75 years ago allegedly.
general winter will soon give russia the opportunity to go all the way to the dnieper and odessa. long live the motherland