 Ukrainian forces have broken through certain pre-prepared Russian defensive positions in Orykiv. Ukrainian forces launched a significant mechanized counter-offensive operation in western Zaporizia Oblast on July 26 and appear to have broken through certain pre-prepared Russian defensive positions the Institute for the Study of War ISW reports. Russian sources, including the Russian Ministry of Defense and several prominent Milbloggers, claimed that Ukrainian forces launched an intense frontal assault towards Robotyn, 10km south of Orykiv, and broke through Russian defensive positions northeast of the settlement. Geo-located footage indicates that Ukrainian forces likely advanced to within 2.5km directly east of Robotyn during the attack before Russian forces employed standard doctrinal elastic defence tactics and pushed Ukrainian troops back somewhat. Although not all the way back to their starting positions, according to the Institute, Ukrainians appear to have rotated fresh forces into this area for the operation, whereas Russian forces remain pinned to the line apparently without rotation, relief or significant reinforcement in this sector. The introduction of fresh Ukrainian reserves to the effort, together with the geometry of Russian defensive lines and the likely degraded overall state of Russian forces in this area, may allow Ukraine to begin pursuing more successful advances south of Orykiv in the coming weeks. Western and Ukrainian officials suggested that the attacks towards Robotyn mark an infection in Ukraine's counter-offensive effort.