MELITOPOL, February 21. /TASS/. Ukrainian forces are deploying reinforcements from the Kiev-controlled town of Orekhov to the areas near the settlements of Rabotino and Verbovoye in the Zaporozhye Region, Vladimir Rogov, chairman of the "We are together with Russia" group told TASS.
"A redeployment of Ukrainian equipment and personnel is now underway from Orekhov to Rabotino and Verbovoye. Everything suggests that they are preparing for active combat operations. Ukrainian equipment that is being redeployed from Novodanilovka and Malaya Tokmachka is destroyed by demolition bombs," he said.
According to the politician, Russian forces are moving forward in this section of the engagement line, but Ukrainian units don’t withdraw from their positions.
"Stubborn fighting is underway. The enemy is well entrenched," he said.
Rogov earlier said Russian forces take several Ukrainian strongpoints in the Rabotino area every day, and Ukrainian losses are mounting. Active actions of Russian troops, he said, raise the prospect that Ukraine will have to retreat from the Rabotino bulge.