Ukrainian forces advanced on southern flank near Bakhmut – defense official

Ukraine's defense forces have advanced on the southern flank near Bakhmut, Donetsk region.

Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said this in a post on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"Today, we continued to move forward on the southern flank around Bakhmut. There are certain gains. As for the northern flank, fighting continues without any change in positions," she said.

According to Maliar, Russian invaders are moving additional forces and resources to the Bakhmut sector. In Bakhmut city, shelling continues from both sides.

The enemy is actively using large-caliber machine guns and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). The Russians also deployed a surveillance system.

Russian troops are active in the Kupiansk and Lyman sectors. Several times the invaders tried to advance today, but suffered failures and losses.

Fighting continues in the Avdiivka area. "The enemy is unsuccessfully trying to advance. But our defenders do not leave him a single chance," she said.

According to her, the Russians today intensified assault operations in the Marinka area, using tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, etc. It did not bring any success to the invaders and Ukraine's defense forces repelled all assaults and significantly destroyed the enemy's offensive potential.

On the Berdiansk and Melitopol axis, Ukrainian defenders are advancing "gradually, but surely." Fighting continues in all directions of the offensive.

"Our defenders are doing their work around several settlements. But all the details will come when the safety of operations allows," Maliar added.