Defence forces liberated a 3-square-kilometre area near Bakhmut in Donetsk Region last week. This was stated by Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar, according to Military Media Center.
She noted that the Armed Forces are advancing on the southern flank of Bakhmut and liberated another 3 square kilometers of territory last week. Thus, 43 square kilometers around the city have been liberated.
In the south, there were no significant changes over the week; the defenders continue to advance in the Melitopol and Berdiansk directions.
The spokesman for the Eastern Group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Serhiy Cherevaty, said that the Defence Forces continue to hold the initiative in the Bakhmut sector. Russians will try to repel the attacks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, primarily using artillery. On 18 August, the Ukrainian Defence Forces eliminated 75 Russian soldiers in this area.