Kiev: “Eastern offensive advances and fights on Bakhmut’s flanks”
The Armed Forces of Ukraine “have seized the strategic initiative” and are advancing along the northern and southern flanks of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, where the Russians have concentrated troops in large numbers. This was stated by Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar, who was also quoted by Ukrinform. “The Ukrainian Defense Forces are confidently moving along the flanks around Bakhmut. However, the occupiers have brought large numbers of forces into the area, and it has an advantage in manpower and weapons. We have not invaded the city itself, but continue to control the southwestern outskirts of the city. However, the main battles now take place around them. We can say that the offensive takes place in several directions. It’s not only on the flanks, but now on a much broader front,” said Malyar, speaking of a “partial success” of the Kiev forces in the south, towards Melitopol and Berdyansk and Crimea. According to Malyar, “The front line is currently being leveled in this area in order to occupy and secure the necessary borders. Sometimes there are days when it’s more than a kilometer, sometimes less, in different ways,” he said. Ukrinform reports that the Ukrainian Air Force carried out 11 strikes in areas where Russian troops are concentrated.