AFU broke through the Russians' defence in Verbovoye - Tarnavskiy

The AFU broke through the defence of the Russians near Verbovoye in Zaporizhzhya region. This was stated by the commander of the Tavria operational-strategic grouping of troops, Oleksandr Tarnavskyy, in a commentary for CNN.

There we continue to advance. Not as fast as expected, not as in films about the Second World War ... But the main thing is not to lose the initiative we have now and not to reduce the intensity of the fighting," Tarnavsky told CNN.

The general, who is leading the Ukrainian troops' counter-offensive on the southern front, said that in the future Ukrainian troops will make more breakthroughs in the Russian defence line.

We have a breakthrough on our left flank and we continue to advance further. Not as fast as expected, not like in the films about the Second World War. The main thing is not to lose this initiative. And, well, not to lose it in practice, in action," he added.

In Tarnavskyy's opinion, a major breakthrough in the counter-offensive may occur after Ukrainian defenders have secured Tokmak, Zaporizhzhya Region, from Russian invaders. The town is considered a strategic centre for Russia. According to CNN, the Ukrainian Defence Forces are now about 20 kilometres away from Tokmak.

It should be noted that in the summer the AFU went on a counter-offensive. Now active fighting is going on south of Bakhmut and in the Melitopol direction. The last liberated settlements were Andriyivka and Kleshchyivka in Donetsk Region.