kyiv has undertaken a major campaign to drive Russian forces out of southeastern Ukraine within the counteroffensive that began several weeks ago, and has dedicated thousands of soldiers to the battle in the southeast of the country, according to Ukrainian and Western analysts and officials.
The surge in troops and firepower has been focused on the southeastern region of Zaporizhia, a Western official said late Wednesday. The official was not authorized to comment on the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Fighting has intensified in recent weeks at various points along the 1,500-kilometer (930-mile) frontline as Ukraine deployed advanced Western-supplied weapons and Western-trained troops to entrenched Russian forces that invaded the country 17 months ago. .
The counteroffensive is ua huge military operation that was probably months in the making. Military logistics requires sending supplies of ammunition, food, medical supplies and spare parts to the front. The operation faces a fierce Russian defense that includes minefields, trenches and anti-tank obstacles.
Ukrainian authorities have been largely silent on events on the battlefield since they began their counteroffensive, although Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said troops were advancing towards the town of Melitopol, in the Zaporizhia region.