The town, that had 480 inhabitants in 2001, was captured by the Russian Army on March 6, 2022, almost two weeks after Moscow launched its military campaign in Ukraine. On August 28 of last year, Ukrainian troops recaptured Robotyne.
This Wednesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu declared that in the last week the Russian Army expelled Ukrainian forces from the towns of Pobeda, Lastochkyne and Severne in the Donetsk region, annexed by Moscow in September 2022 along with the Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The spokesman for the Ukrainian military group ‘Tavria’, Dmitro Likhovi, previously confirmed the withdrawal of Kiev forces from the villages of Stepove and Severne, where, according to him, about a hundred people lived before the war.
This really doesn’t sound like a massive loss or anything.
There are some reports (like this) that are saying the town is likely back in Ukrainian control due to the location of Russian bombing/shelling. (This is Telegram info! That comes with its own set of massive caveats.)
Either way, it’s hardly a major victory or loss.
Robotyne is important due to its location, not its population. It sits right in the middle of the southern frontline and a win there is an opportunity for Ukraine to push further south cutting off the western side off of front line that is protected by the Dnipro.
