In the Bakhmut sector, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are moving on a broad front and are having some success. The enemy is on the defensive, Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar has said on Telegram.
According to her, the defensive operation includes everything, including counteroffensive steps. Therefore, in some areas, the Armed Forces are moving to offensive actions.
"The Bakhmut direction remains the epicentre of the fighting. We are moving on a fairly wide front there. We are making progress. We are occupying the dominant heights. The enemy is on the defensive, trying to hold their positions," noted Malyar.
Appearing on the telethon, she added that in the course of the fighting, the Ukrainian Armed Forces had advanced in the direction of Orikhovo-Vasylivka and Paraskoviyivka by 200 to 1,600 metres in different directions. In the area of Ivanivske-Klishchiyivka, they advanced by 100 to 700 metres.
In the south, Russian troops are also on the defensive. Local battles continue.
"Why are the Russians actively spreading reports about a counteroffensive? Because they need to divert attention from the defeat in the Bakhmut sector," concluded Malyar.
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, over the last day Russian troops continued to focus their main efforts on attempts to fully occupy Luhansk and Donetsk regions. There were 29 combat engagements yesterday.