KYIV: Ukrainian forces broke through Russian lines in southern Ukraine, the general leading the counteroffensive there told US media in the latest claims by Kyiv about making progress in the Zaporizhzhia area, a day after a missile attack on Moscow’s Black Sea Fleet headquarters in the Crimean port of Sevastopol.

Ukraine launched its counteroffensive to claw back territory from Russian forces in June. Progress has been slower than expected, with heavily mined territory, but Kyiv has in recent weeks reported making strategic advances in the Zaporizhzhia region.

“On the left flank (near the village of Verbove) we have a breakthrough and we continue to advance further,” General Oleksandr Tarnavskiy told CNN, admitting that the advance had been slower than Ukraine hoped.

Tarnavskiy said a major breakthrough for the counteroffensive would be if Kyiv recaptured the city of Tokmak — some 20km from the front line — which fell to Russian forces at the start of their invasion.

Retaking Tokmak would allow Ukrainian forces to push further towards occupied Melitopol and annexed Crimea. “I think it (a breakthrough) would happen after Tokmak,” he said, but warned: “At the moment (Russian forces) are relying on the depth of their defensive line there.”

The interview was published a day after Kyiv struck Russia’s Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea, claiming to have killed “senior” commanders.

‘Senior’ officers killed

Ukraine, meanwhile, said dozens including senior Russian navy commanders died or were injured when it attacked the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol port on Friday.

“The details of the attack will be revealed as soon as possible and the result is dozens of dead and wounded occupants, including senior fleet commanders,” the Ukrainian army said.

It claimed that the headquarters was hit when “a meeting of the Russian navy’s leadership” was going on.

Kyiv’s intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov claimed the attack killed “at least nine people”, including generals, in comments to VoA.

Budanov declined to say if Western-made missiles were used in the attack. Russia has said one of its servicemen was missing after the attack.

Kyiv has vowed to take back Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2023