In the Bakhmut sector, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are advancing in the vicinity of Klishchiyivka, Kurdyumivka and Avdiyivka, while Russian troops are trapped and cannot leave Bakhmut, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar has told the news telethon.
"The situation is developing quite dynamically in all areas. Speaking of the east, we are making good progress in the Bakhmut area, which is what the enemy is most concerned about, and that is why they are trying to divert our efforts to other areas. There we are moving along the southern flank. We have already reached a lot of dominant heights, and the enemy is trapped there, because they cannot leave Bakhmut and cannot advance fully in the city itself. The most talked about battles are those in Klishchiyivka, Kurdyumivka and Andriyivka. Indeed, there is fighting there. We are advancing there little by little and we've been having success there," said Malyar.
She added that about two weeks ago the Russians became more active in the Kupyansk-Lyman sector, trying to divert Ukrainian forces' attention from the Bakhmut area.
"They became very active (in the Kupyansk-Lyman sector - ed.), there is shelling, troops were pulled up. Our forces stopped them and destroyed very effectively. They are recovering, regrouping there and are not abandoning their plans to move there," Malyar said.
Russia is currently moving manpower along the northern border. The Russians are moving their troops to act as reserves for the units they are using in the offensive in the Kupyansk and Lyman sectors.
"This confirms that they are focusing on these areas," she said.
Regarding the situation in the east, Malyar noted that Russia's offensive continues in the area of Avdiyivka and Maryinka, which is being held back by the Defence Forces.