Defence forces have liberated part of Opytne in Donetsk Region. During the week, the defenders had partial success in the area of Novomayorsk and are gaining foothold.
Offensives continue in the south. The defenders are facing serious obstacles from the enemy, but in some places the first line of defence has been broken through and they are moving on, said Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar during a telethon.
"Over the past week, one and a half kilometers have been liberated. And it is incorrect to say whether it is a lot or a little, because the Armed Forces have numerous tasks, not only to advance but also to weaken the enemy," she explained.
In the south, the defenders were successful south of Robotyne and west of Verbove. Last week, the defenders conducted 79 strikes on the enemy's concentration areas, destroyed 15 control points and more than 30 ammunition depots on the southern and eastern front.
In eastern Ukraine, there are areas where the enemy is advancing and areas where the Defence Forces are advancing.
The Russians are advancing at the Kupiansk, Lyman, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka directions. Their goal is to reach the borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
"Our armed forces stop the enemy very effectively there, but it’s only because of fighting," she emphasised.
Malyar added that last week the enemy tried to attack near Senkivka, Kharkiv Region. The Ukrainian Armed Forces inflicted damage to both Russian personnel and equipment, and now they are regrouping and continuing their offensive plans. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are preparing to fight back.
Fierce fighting also took place in the Liman sector. The enemy tried to advance, but didn’t succeed. The Russians tried to move in the areas of Berestove (Kharkiv Region), Novoselivske and Novoyehorivka (Luhansk Region).
In the Bakhmut sector - the direction of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' offensive - the Defence Forces succeeded in the areas of Klishchiyivka and Andriyivka. They move forward. Over the past week, the liberated territory amounted to about two sq.km., and over the entire time of the offensive near Bakhmut, 49 sq.km. have been liberated.
Last week, the Russians tried to strike our positions in the areas of Zaliznyanske, Orikhovo-Vasylivka and Bohdanivka, but to no avail - the Ukrainian Armed Forces are preventing the enemy from implementing their plans.
Fierce fighting continues in the Avdiyivka and Maryinka sectors. The Russians have almost destroyed all the infrastructure and buildings in Maryinka and Avdiyivka, but they cannot take control of these settlements. They have artillery and can fire it, but they cannot enter the settlements and take control of them.
The defenders are conducting offensive actions at the Melitopol and Bakhmut directions. The enemy is trying to advance in the Bakhmut and Kupyansk sectors.