Russia transferring additional forces to southern Ukraine, says senior national guard officer

"In spite of suffering significant losses, Russia persists in its offensive maneuvers in the Lyman, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka sectors. It is also attempting a counterattack in the Bakhmut region," Urshalovych said.

"Through the strategic regrouping of forces from alternative directions and reserves, they are reinforcing units actively engaged in defensive operations in the Berdyansk and Melitopol areas."

Ukraine’s counteroffensive – Latest updates

The New York Times previously reported the beginning of a fresh phase in Ukraine’s counteroffensive, with a primary focus on the southeast. Ukrainian troops are steadily advancing through minefields while contending with aerial attacks.

Citing an unnamed U.S. official, The Wall Street Journal reported that Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, informed U.S. officials that Ukrainian forces are on the verge of a breakthrough on Aug. 25, addressing concerns about the perceived slow pace of the counteroffensive.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry officially confirmed the liberation of the village of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhya Oblast on Aug. 28. Currently, Ukrainian forces are advancing further towards Novoprokopivka and Ocheretove, having made substantial progress in the vicinity of Verbove.

In early September, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Commander of the Tavria operational group, announced that Ukrainian forces successfully breached the first line of Russian defenses in the southern sector.

Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defense, Hanna Malyar, stated on Sep. 5 that the offensive is a protracted process and that the war is far from over.