Russian Troops Renew Offensive Activities in the South: Attempted Breakthrough in Malyi Tokmak and Surrounding Areas
Amid rising tensions and intensified military actions on the southern front, Russian forces are attempting a large-scale breakthrough of Ukrainian defenses in the Malyi Tokmak region.
According to Ukrainian analytical communities, particularly DeepState, on October 20, Russian troops launched a series of mechanized assaults along a broad front, covering areas from Shcherbaky to Malyi Tokmak and nearby settlements such as Nesteryanka, Robotyne, and Novoprokopivka in Zaporizhzhia region.
It is also reported that the enemy used various military equipment — from modern tanks and armored personnel carriers to motorcycles — trying to break through Ukrainian defenses and advance deeper into Ukrainian positions.
Although Ukrainian defenders destroyed much of the enemy hardware before it reached the contact line, Russian infantry continued their assaults.
Notably, some Russian equipment managed to reach Malyi Tokmak, where airborne units landed and dispersed within the settlement.
The exact number of Russian soldiers involved is still unclear, but analysts believe that holding these positions will be difficult for the occupiers to sustain in the long run.
The Russian army also employed tanks with traps for mine clearance and creating passages—tactics that have become typical during their offensive operations.
Despite overall success in deterring the assaults, final battle results are still being clarified, especially around Malyi Tokmak.
Experts interpret these actions as a form of reconnaissance—attempting to identify weak spots in Ukrainian defenses and prepare for further strikes.
According to analysts, the Russians are looking for vulnerabilities to secure a quick breakthrough and are pushing along a broad section of the front.
However, their resources and equipment limit their full potential.
As DeepState concludes, this activity should be viewed as a warning sign of possible escalation, requiring close attention from Ukrainian command and the international community.