In Bakhmut area, “all according to plan” - deputy defense chief

This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Defense, Hanna Maliar, who spoke on the air of the national telethon, Ukrinform reports.

"Our troops are advancing toward Bakhmut. It is not so easy because the Russians are bringing in their troops from the rear and trying to reinforce their units in the areas where our armed forces have gone on the offensive. Fierce battles are underway. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are gradually advancing," she said.

Maliar has called on the public to remain “patient,” emphasizing that now "it is important to understand that everything is happening according to our plan."

She also reported that now it is the regular troops of the Russian invasion force who are mainly participating in hostilities as they replace the airborne assault units.

As reported, the enemy went on the offensive in the direction of Orihovo-Vasylivka, Ivanivske, and Severnoe, achieving no gains. A Russian airstrike hits the area of Dilyivka, Donetsk region. Vasyukivka, Orihovo-Vasylivka, Hryhorivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Stupochky, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Bila Hora, Toretsk, and Severne in Donetsk region were affected by Russian artillery shelling.