Russian Troops Break Through Ukraine's Defense Lines In Zaporizhia

Russia's military in the Kursk/Russian Defense Ministry/TASS region

JAKARTA - Russian troops are moving forward in southern Ukraine and have penetrated part of Ukraine's defense line less than 50 km (31 miles) southeast of the city of Zaporizhia.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces had seized Stepove village in the Zaporizhia region, and crossed the Ukrainian line.

Yuri Podolyaka, one of the most influential pro-Russian military bloggers, said Russian troops had also broken into the nearby village, Maly Shcherbaky.

"Our unit has broken through the first defensive line in the direction of Zaporizhia," Podolyaka said.

Russia on Sunday tried to expel the last Ukrainian army from western Russia, after a seven-month attack by Ukraine.

As previously reported, US President Donald Trump urged Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to save Ukrainian troops expelled by Russia from the Kursk region.

Trump posted on social media after his envoy, Steve Witkoff, held a lengthy meeting with Putin on Thursday night in Moscow that Trump described as "very good and productive".

"It is very likely that this terrible and bloody war will eventually end," Trump said, referring to the proposed US ceasefire Ukraine received this week and is being considered by Russia.

"I have sincerely asked President Putin for their lives to be forgiven. This will be a terrible massacre, which has never happened since World War II. May God bless them all!!," Trump continued.

Military analysts say Ukrainian forces in Kursk are close to being cut off after losing territory quickly in what was previously their only previously their only foothold in Russian territory.

Putin accused Ukrainian forces of crimes against civilians in Kursk, something Kyiv denies.

However, the Russian president said he understood Trump's call to consider humanitarian considerations.

"In this case, I would like to emphasize that if (Ukraine forces) put down arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed to live and be treated properly by international law and the laws of the Russian Federation," Putin said.