 Ukrainians break through minefield toward city of Tokmak. US officials told CBS News that the Ukrainian military appears to have made progress in its offensive against the Russian-occupied town of Tokmak, an important barrier city between Ukrainian forces and the city of Militopol in Zaporizia Oblast. The US official told CBS News that Ukrainian troops have broken through a Russian minefield north of Tokmak and are now fighting the first line of Russian defence holding the city. The media states that recapturing towns like Tokmak and then advancing to Militopol will be a challenge for the Ukrainian counter-offensive which has made gradual gains since the beginning of the summer. However, Militopol is the gateway to the annexed Crimea and the vital Russian transit hub. Militopol is critical to Ukraine's counter-offensive because it is considered the gateway to Crimea. The city is at the intersection of two important highways and a railroad line that allow Russia to move military personnel and equipment from the peninsula to the occupied territories in southern Ukraine. Ukraine launched the counter-offensive in early June, hoping to replicate its stunning success in last fall's push through the Kharkiv region. Kyiv has recently dedicated more reserves to the front, including striker and challenger units. Ukrainian officials have said privately that timing depends on how quickly forces can penetrate the minefields, a difficult process that has strained the military's mine clearing resources across a wide swathe of territory.