Ukraine 'breaks through' Russian defences with Western-trained troops

Ukraine has broken through Russian defences in the southeast of the country in a major-assault by Western-trained troops. #Ukraine #Zaporizhzhia #counteroffensive A Soviet-era T-72 tank and two US Bradley fighting vehicles operated by Kyiv’s 47th Mechanised Brigade were spotted beyond a Russian line of defence near Robotyne, a village in the Zaporizhzhia region, according to geolocated footage. Russian military bloggers said Ukrainian forces had managed to breach through defensive lines in places south of Orikhiv, a town around 6 miles north of Roboytne. Footage has previously shown damaged Ukrainian armour stranded in a dense Russian-laid minefield between the two settlements. Vladimir Rogov, the Russian-appointed head of occupied Zaporizhzhia, said Kyiv’s forces had advanced with more than 100 armoured vehicles, including German-made Leopard tanks and American-made Bradley fighting vehicles. In recent days, footage shared on social media appeared to show the 47th Brigade had been brought into the battle. The brigade was one of nine equipped and trained by Nato countries ahead of Ukraine’s long-heralded counter-offensive. It is a sign Kyiv has decided to commit thousands of well-trained troops, previously held back in anticipation for a breakthrough, to the assault. Continue reading related articles: Inside Ukraine's 47th brigade where western-trained young men fight to prove their patriotism Ukraine launches main thrust of its counter-offensive against Russia British defence minister insists Ukraine’s counter-offensive is not failing Subscribe to The Telegraph with our special offer: just £1 for 3 months. Start your free trial now: Get the latest headlines: and are websites of The Telegraph, the UK's best-selling quality daily newspaper providing news and analysis on UK and world events, business, sport, lifestyle and culture.