Zaporozhye - 18.02.2024

"The situation in the Orikhiv sector as of 21:00 /Moscow time/ February 18, 2024

Russian troops decided to take advantage of the enemy’s increased attention to the outskirts of Donetsk and went on the offensive in the Zaporozhye direction.

In the area near Robotyne, the Russian Armed Forces advanced a kilometer and returned to their control some of the positions captured by the enemy during the offensive in the summer of 2023. Currently, fighting is taking place on the western outskirts of the village.

To the northwest of Verbove Russian fighters also managed to occupy at least three forest belts. The enemy tried to counterattack, but Russian assault detachments repelled the onslaught.

On the western outskirts of the “bag” at the Kopani-Novodanylivka line, the situation is unknown for certain: according to the enemy, Russian Armed Forces launched an attack with several infantry fighting vehicles with troops, but were unable to achieve success.

At the same time, Russian artillery and aviation are striking positions in Kamyanske and Shcherbaky, where the Armed Forces of Ukraine have concentrated personnel and counter-battery stations.

In the area of Pyatykhatky and Shcherbaky, the enemy is actively mining the area, preparing for a possible offensive by the Russian Armed Forces in this area as well.

The Ukrainian command is also transferring reserves and, in order to stabilize the situation in the Robotyne area, and is preparing to bring into battle forces of the 116th Mechanized Brigade, which was previously partially being restored in the rear.

But even at a distance from the line of contact, not everything is smooth for the Armed Forces of Ukraine - just the other day, another tragedy occurred in the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, which had been “reassembled” more than once: a detonator inadvertently detonated inside a MTLB, which was transporting mines. As a result of the incident, 20 military personnel were killed, including four officers."
Zaporozhye - 19.02.2024

"The situation in the Orikhiv sector as of 01:00 /Moscow time/ February 19, 2024

Russian troops continue their offensive in the so-called Robotyne salient.

According to the Archangel of Special Forces
channel, Russian paratroopers and motorized riflemen managed to advance 2 km in depth and reach the southern and southeastern outskirts of Robotyne.

Most likely, the yet unconfirmed reports of battles on the western outskirts of the village are already a reality. Taking into account the vector of attacks by Russian assault detachments and the landing of foot troops to the west of the village, this scenario is quite realistic.

A fair question arises whether the enemy will have time to transfer reinforcements to hold Robotyne. The settlement was severely destroyed during the summer fighting. And to be objective, there is no way it can become a fortress.

However, Russian troops will have to “pass right through” Robotyne, because it will be difficult, to put it mildly, for them to entrench themselves in the ruins."
Zaporozhye - 19.02.2024

"The situation in the Orikhiv sector as of 14:00 /Moscow time/ February 19, 2024

Russian troops continue their attack on Robotyne.

Units of motorized riflemen and paratroopers of the Russian Armed Forces reached the southern outskirts of the village and gained a foothold on them. Now the fighting is taking place in the central part of the village.

However, there is nowhere to stay in the locality - Robotyne was completely destroyed by the fighting, so without a rapid advance to the north it will not be possible to hold the ruins for a long time without heavy losses.

At the same time, another attack was carried out in the west along the T-04-08 highway, however the enemy disabled at least several units of equipment of the assault detachment of the Russian Army; the outcome of this battle is still unclear."