More than 28 sq km liberated in south in past week – Maliar

The defense forces of Ukraine liberated 9 sq km from the Russian invaders in the east and more than 28 sq km in the south last week.

As Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Maliar posted on Telegram, offensive and defensive operations are ongoing in the east of the country. The defense forces move in Bakhmut direction, while the enemy continues to go on the offensive in Lyman, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka directions.

"The enemy tries to oust our troops from the positions held but receives a strong rebuff. Now heavy battles are going on there. Over the past week, after the operational (tactical) position was improved and the front line was leveled, the freed area has been increased by 9 square kilometers," the deputy minister noted.

The number of enemy strikes in the east, according to Maliar, doubled in a week: there were 6,457 strikes the week before last and 11,753 strikes last week.

In the south, the Ukrainian troops continue to conduct an offensive operation in Melitopol and Berdiansk directions.

Ukrainian defenders went on the offensive in the directions of Novodarivka, Pryiutne, Novodanylivka, Robotyne, Novosilka, Staromayorske and had success.

"Over the past week, the freed territories have been increased by 28.4 sq km. The total liberated area in the south is 158.4 sq km," the official added.

As reported, 39 combat engagements took place over the past day in Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, and Marinka directions.