Russian forces tighten checkpoints in Melitopol

Russia has tightened control over checkpoints around Melitopol, Mayor Ivan Fedorov said on Telegram on Aug. 20.

"The people of Melitopol should be informed about regular inspections at all checkpoints in the city and district," Fedorov wrote. "Residents report that the occupiers carefully check phones, cars and passports."

Fedorov advised residents of Melitopol to be cautious and vigilant around inspection points.

Melitopol had a pre-war population of about 150,000, and has been under Russian control since March 2022. Many of the city's roads and railways are used as critical sites for Russian troops to transport supplies to occupied areas.

The city is also on the forefront of Ukraine's counteroffensive, but recent U.S. intelligence assessed that Ukrainian forces are unlikely to reach the city by the end of the year.

Washington Post: US intelligence thinks Ukraine will fail to reach counteroffensive’s key goal

The U.S. intelligence assesses that Ukrainian forces will fail to reach the key southeastern city of Melitopol in this year’s counteroffensive, the Washington Post reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the forecast.

The Kyiv IndependentDinara Khalilova