Armed Forces of Ukraine have already liberated 44 sq km in Bakhmut direction

"In Bakhmut direction, there are gradual but confident advances every week – this is what annoys the enemy the most. The commanding heights, which are taken, go along the southern and northern flanks which looks like a semi-encirclement on the map [of Bakhmut]. The enemy attacks the northern flank, wants to recapture the positions we have taken there. The struggle continues precisely for this. There is progress in the southern direction: last week, another square kilometer was liberated. Altogether, 44 square kilometers have been already liberated," Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Maliar said during the United News national telethon, Ukrinform reports.

As noted, Klishchiyivka was the epicenter of military operations. At the same time, the enemy offers resistance in Orikhovo-Vasylivka, but Ukrainian troops advance. The Russians also carried out ineffective offensive operations near Maryinka, Avdiyivka, Stepove, Novomykhaylivka, Vuhledar in Donetsk regions.

"The situation was tense in Kupyansk and Lyman directions. We observe that, despite the fact that the enemy was significantly destroyed by our defenders, they are gathering new forces, regrouping and trying to attract the most professional units – air assault units. The enemy does not abandon its intentions to move in these directions although they do not succeed," she added.