Ukrainian troops have made gains around Bakhmut in recent days, but Russian forces have made slight advances in the city itself in eastern Ukraine. This was stated by Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defense Hana Malyar, quoted by Reuters.
She pointed out that in the last few days the Ukrainian army has conquered about 20 square kilometers by Russian forces around Bakhmut, where fierce fighting has been going on for months.
Earlier, Malyar clarified that the Ukrainian advance around Bakhmut was not part of a wider counter-offensive planned by Kiev and stressed that the events there “should not be taken out of context”.
“Within a few days, our troops liberated about 20 square kilometers from the enemy in the northern and southern suburbs of Bakhmut. At the same time the enemy advanced into Bakhmut itself, completely destroying the town with artillery“, she wrote on Telegram.
Ukraine officially announced first successes near Bakhmut
This allows for better supply
Mallyar reiterated that Russia is sending new paratroopers and added: “Heavy fighting continues with varying results.”
Last week, the Ukrainian army said it had begun to push back Russian forces around Bakhmut after months of heavy fighting, and Moscow acknowledged that its forces had retreated north of the town.
Yesterday, Ukraine officially announced the first successes near the city.
Moscow views Bakhmut, a town of about 70,000 before the war broke out nearly 15 months ago, as a stepping stone to taking over the rest of eastern Donbas.
British Intelligence: Ukraine makes tactical progress in Bakhmut
Ukrainian forces pushed back the Russian front line northwest of the city
2023-05-16 15:12:00
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