Russian forces advanced in southern Ukraine on Monday, breaching Ukrainian lines less than 50 km southeast of Zaporizhzhia, as reported by Russian officials and pro-Russian military bloggers. Reuters could not independently verify the claims, and Ukraine had not provided an immediate response.
The Russian Defence Ministry announced that their forces had seized the village of Stepove in the Zaporizhzhia region, breaking through Ukrainian defenses. Pro-Russian military blogger, Yuri Podolyaka, stated that Russian forces also entered the nearby village of Maly Shcherbaky.
Podolyaka noted, "Our units have breached the first line of defense in the Zaporizhzhia direction."
On Sunday, Russia attempted to counter after a seven-month incursion by Ukraine, intended to divert Moscow's forces, secure leverage, and provoke President Vladimir Putin.