Ukrainian Forces Search Captured Russian Trenches As Both Sides Clash Near Zaporizhzhya

A Ukrainian soldier inspects a former Russian position outside the village of Robotyne near the front line in the Zaporizhzhya region of southern Ukraine on November 4.

Russia and Ukraine gave contradictory accounts over the weekend  of November 4-5 about what is occurring along the front line in the Zaporizhzhya region, with Moscow saying it has stopped Kyiv's counteroffensive while Ukraine's military claims it is continuing with its attacks.

A Ukrainian serviceman of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade inspects leftover equipment from a Russian position near the village of Robotyne.

Ukraine's General Staff said that its forces are continuing their offensive operations in the Zaporizhzhya region, "exhausting the enemy all along the front line."

The skull of a Russian soldier is seen inside a trench near the village of Robotyne.

In June 2023, Ukrainian soldiers captured these Russian positions, which allowed Kyiv's units to advance toward Robotyne.

A Ukrainian serviceman inspects ammunition that was left behind by Russian soldiers.

Kyiv's troops were able to liberate Robotyne a few months later.

A Ukrainian soldier with an anti-drone rifle walks through the former trench that was occupied by Russian forces.

Russian hand grenades

 

A Ukrainian soldier inspects the former Russian position.

Ukrainian troops inspect a destroyed vehicle.

Fighting has picked up in Zaporizhzhya, as Russian forces attempt to recapture Robotyne.

A religious icon surrounded by the detritus of war.

In a U.S. TV interview on November 5, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on Washington to provide further aid to help his country battle against the Russian invasion.
 

A Ukrainian soldier inspects a destroyed Russian BTR-82A armored personnel carrier.

"If Russia will kill all of us, they will attack NATO countries and you will send your sons and daughters [to fight]," Zelenskiy told NBC.

 

In Ukraine's southern region of Zaporizhzhya, Ukrainian troops have regained control of several minor settlements since launching their counteroffensive in June. A Ukrainian squad has started searching through captured Russian trenches, frequently making grisly discoveries.