Ukraine army continues offensive in Melitopol

Ukrainian forces have continued offensive operations in the Melitopol (western Zaporizhia Oblast) direction and offensive actions in the Bakhmut direction.

“Russia tried to counterattack near Kupiansk. Elements of Russia’s 42nd Motorized Rifle Division are reportedly deployed as far back as Tokmak, continuing to suggest that the Russian command has not manned the multi-echeloned defence in southern Ukraine in-depth,” Caliber.Az reports, citing the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The ISW analysts say tensions between Russian units operating on the front line and in the rear of Western Zaporizhzhia oblast threaten the integrity of Russian defence and facilitate a Ukrainian Armed Forces counter-offensive.

The tactical situation in Verbove remains unclear as Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast on September 26. 

According to ISW, Russian forces continued limited counterattacks in the Bakhmut area on September 26 but did not make any confirmed gains.

In addition, the Ukrainian army conducted offensive operations in the Western Zaporizhzhia region and reached the northern outskirts of Novoprokopivka.