The Russian forces were advancing on Monday (17) in southern Ukraine and had pierced part of the Ukrainian lines less than 50 km southeast of the city of Zaporizehzia, according to Russian authorities and pro-Russian military bloggers.
A Reuters He could not independently verify the statements and there was no immediate comment from Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defense of Russia said in a statement that its forces took the village of Stepove, in the region of Zaporizehzia, advancing through the Ukrainian lines.
Yuri Podilyaka, one of the most influential pro-Russian military bloggers, said the Russian forces also invaded the neighboring village of Maly Shcherbky.
“Our units broke the first line of defense towards Zaporizehzia,” said Podilyaka.
On Sunday, Russia tried to expel the last Ukrainian soldiers of West Russia, after a seven -month raid from Ukraine, whose goal was to distract Moscow forces, win a bargaining chip, and irritate President Vladimir Putin.
