Ukrainian defenders have already liberated 47 square kilometers near Bakhmut since the beginning of the counteroffensive

The Armed Forces of Ukraine keep advancing in the east of Ukraine. In particular, Ukrainian defenders have succeeded in the Klishchiivka area of the Donetsk region. “A total of 47 square kilometers were liberated near Bakhmut [since the beginning of the counteroffensive – ed.]. During the past week, the liberated area was increased by 3 square kilometers,” said Hanna Maliar, the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine.

According to Maliar, Russian forces are conducting defensive actions to restrain the advance of Ukrainian troops on the Bakhmut axis, making unsuccessful attempts to regain lost positions in the areas of Klishchiivka, Kurdiumivka, and Ozarianivka of the Donetsk region. Russian invaders also continued to carry out offensive actions on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Avdiivka, and Marinka axes in the east of Ukraine but failed.

Maliar added that the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue the offensive operations on the Melitopol axis in the south of Ukraine. In particular, Ukrainian defenders had success in the areas of Novodanilivka and Novoprokopivka in the Zaporizhzhia region and have been consolidating their positions. 

Currently, Russian forces are in a defensive position in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. However, they keep shelling populated areas in the Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions, particularly with loitering “Lantset ” munitions.

Earlier, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Commander of “Tavriia” operational-strategic group of troops, said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are now between the first and second Russian defensive lines. “In the center of the offensive, we are now completing the destruction of enemy units that provide cover for the retreat of Russian troops behind their second defensive line”. According to Tarnavskyi, Russians are forced to maneuver and redeploy their forces now.