Fighting is taking place around Bakhmut and on its outskirts, the press service of the Ground Troops Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has said.
Russian forces are trying to break through the town's defence and surround it.
Col-Gen Oleksandr Syrskyy, commander of the Eastern Group of Forces, visited the defenders of Bakhmut. According to the Ground Troops, he checked the situation in subordinate units, listened to unit commanders' reports and helped to resolve the problems that surfaced. In addition, Syrskyy presented awards to some soldiers.