Defense forces prevent Russians from advancing in east, heavy battles ongoing – Maliar

As Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Maliar posted on Telegram, the previous week was extremely difficult. The Russian invaders did everything they could to stop the Ukrainian offensive.

In Kupyansk direction, the Russians searched for weak points in the defense of the Ukrainian troops, conducted unsuccessful assaults in the area east of Petropavlivka, Kharkiv region.

In Lyman direction, the Russian army continued to conduct assaults to knock the Ukrainian troops out in the area of Serebriansky forest in Donetsk region.

Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled enemy attacks in the area of Novoyehorivka, Bilohorivka, Serhiyivka, and Nadiya.

Over the past week, the units of defense forces continued to conduct offensive operations on the southern flank of Bakhmut direction.

"The movement was very complicated by landmines and shelling. But our troops forced the enemy to defend themselves quite costly as they destroyed a lot of enemy equipment and fighters," the deputy minister said.

According to her, the battles have been going on for a week and still continue in the area of Klishchiyivka, Andriyivka, and Kurdiumivka.

In Avdiyivka and Marinka directions, Russian troops concentrated their main efforts on conducting offensive operations with the aim of establishing full control over Krasnohorivka and Marinka and encircling Avdiyivka.

The invaders made futile attempts to restore the lost position near Staromayorske.

As reported, Russian troops increased the number of strikes in the east last week and used almost half a million rounds there.