russians are trying in every way to downplay the breakthrough of the AFU in two oblasts – ISW

The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have achieved visually confirmed progress in the western parts of Donetsk and Zaporizhia oblasts. Meanwhile, russian propaganda is attempting to downplay the Ukrainian offensive, although it has confirmed it.

This is reported by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Citing information from Ukrainian military sources and geolocation footage, experts note that the AFU have had some success in three areas of the front. In particular, they managed to advance south of Velyka Novosilka and liberate Makarivka, Neskuchne, Blahodatne, Storozheve, and Novodarivka.

However, some russian sources have stated that fighting continues in the "grey zone" or disputed areas or that Ukrainian forces are operating in areas that russian troops did not fully occupy prior to Ukrainian attacks in the south of Ukraine.

"russian sources are likely referring to Ukrainian territorial advances through russian defenses as capturing 'grey zones' in order to downplay Ukrainian gains and omit reporting on Ukrainian forces breaking through defensive lines," ISW believes.

russians also present the retreat of their own troops to "previously prepared lines" as an effective operation that allows them to "destroy hundreds of units of Western equipment" from a distance.

The ISW points out that although the AFU has liberated several populated areas, "claims of a Ukrainian 'breakthrough' are premature at this time."