Defense Ministry about nine days of Ukrainian offensive: We have a fierce battle

Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Maliar said this during the nationwide United News telethon, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"For example, in the south, our troops are currently facing dense mining of fields, so it is very difficult to advance. It may be slow when you look at the numbers, but the progress is confident. We also face the fact that the enemy is actively using ATGMs and kamikaze drones, also trying to stop our offensive and inflict various damage," she said.

According to Maliar, at the front, as of now, Ukrainian troops are conducting offensive operations, as well as defensive ones in various directions.

"In fact, we have a fierce battle, when we use our efforts as much as possible, and the enemy concentrates as much of its efforts as possible to stop this (Ukrainian - ed.) offensive. A very serious confrontation is ongoing. The enemy is now increasing the number of attacks - they are launching more artillery, mortar, and air strikes and are thus trying to stop our offensive," the deputy minister said.

She informed that no advance of Russian forces was recorded in the past week and two days this week.

"That is, where the enemy is attempting to advance - say, the Bakhmut direction - we are also trying to advance there. We are advancing, they are not, because our troops do not give them such an opportunity," said Maliar.

As reported, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Russian invaders are focusing their main efforts on the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka directions. Almost 40 combat clashes have been recorded there over the past day, battles are ongoing.

Photo: WM BLOOD