With a Village Recaptured, Ukraine Takes the Next Step in Its Counteroffensive

After piercing a daunting line of Russian defenses around the southern village of Robotyne, Ukrainian forces are now seeking to take the next step in their arduous counteroffensive, waging a fierce battle a few miles farther to the east, according to Ukrainian military commanders and U.S. officials.

The intense fighting on Thursday comes amid weeks of brutal battles that have resulted in small but significant advances that Ukrainian forces are trying to exploit, with the broader goal of driving a wedge into the so-called land bridge between Russia and occupied Crimea, which is vital to the Russian military’s supply routes.

The Ukrainian brigade that is participating in the fighting in the area said that its assault units were attacking Russian positions near the village of Verbove, nine miles east of Robotyne.