On August 31, there was information in the media that Ukrainian forces managed to breach a section of the main Russian defence line on the southern front. The commander of the operational-strategic troops "Tavria," Brigadier General Alexander Tarnavskyi, reported, "Russian invaders have spent 60% of their time and resources on building the first line." According to him, 20% each was allocated for the construction of the second and third defence lines. However, the second defence line of the invaders remains quite strong.

The spokesperson for the United Press Center of the Defense Forces of the Tavria direction, Alexander Shtupun, expressed his opinion regarding the second Russian defence line during an information telethon broadcast: "I don't know why everyone thinks it's a bit weaker. Yes, the density of minefields there is lower, but their quantity is also quite significant. The only thing that might work in our favour is that the trenches, fortifications, and coverings are not as strong."

When asked by journalists about the presence of tunnels and "underground labyrinths," he replied that he has no information about that but added, "The Russians had over a year to entrench themselves, so I believe that labyrinths exist there."

To recall, at the end of August, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces confirmed that Ukrainian troops had breached the first line of the invaders' defence on the southern front in the Zaporizhia region and continue to expand the wedge towards the strategically important city of Tokmak."