Ukrainian forces have decisively broken through Russia’s first defensive line near Zaporizhzhia after weeks of painstaking mine clearance, according to Brig Gen Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, the general leading the southern counteroffensive. In an exclusive interview, he said the breakthrough now positions Ukrainian troops between the first and second defensive lines, with expectations of faster gains against the weaker second line.
Tarnavskiy estimated that Russia devoted 60% of its time and resources to building the first line, with only 20% each for the second and third lines, as Moscow did not anticipate Ukrainian forces breaking through. “We are now between the first and second defensive lines,” he said, adding that Ukrainian forces are pushing out on both sides of the breach and consolidating their hold on seized territory.
A vast minefield had trapped Ukrainian troops for weeks, with infantry sappers slowly clearing an assault route on foot under fire. Russian troops behind it “just stood and waited for the Ukrainian army”, picking off vehicles with shells and drones. Now that the barrier has been crossed, Russians have been forced into manoeuvres, and Ukrainians are back in their tanks and armoured vehicles. Tarnavskiy noted that Moscow has redeployed troops from Kherson, Lyman, and inside Russia to the area, indicating pressure.
“The enemy is pulling up reserves, not only from Ukraine but also from Russia. But sooner or later, the Russians will run out of all the best soldiers. This will give us an impetus to attack more and faster,” Tarnavskiy said. “Everything is ahead of us.” He acknowledged that the counteroffensive took longer than expected due to de-mining and difficult evacuations, but thanked the UK and allies for support, including Challenger tanks already in the field.
