russians still attempt to capture Bakhmut – Ukraine’s General Staff

Fierce battles are ongoing in the southern and northern parts of Bakhmut; the Russian invaders are conducting offensive actions in the Avdiivka direction with the aim of establishing control over Avdiivka and Mariinka.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said this in an evening update published on Facebook, according to Ukrinform.

"russia continues its armed aggression against Ukraine, focusing its main efforts on attempts to completely capture Donetsk and Luhansk regions within the administrative borders. The enemy continues to conduct offensive operations in the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Mariinka, and Shakhtarsk directions. The fiercest battles are ongoing in the southern and northern parts of Bakhmut, the enemy is also conducting offensive operations in the Avdiivka direction with the aim of establishing control over Avdiivka and Marinka," General Staff said.

russian invaders continue to use their usual terror tactics against the civilian population, shelling settlements, as well as critical infrastructure facilities. They launched a missile attack on Zaporizhzhia today. Two russian missiles hit a residential multi-story building. Civilian casualties were reported.

The enemy also carried out 41 airstrikes. In particular, the invaders launched 21 Shahed-136 UAVs from russia's bryansk region, 16 of which were shot down by Ukrainian forces. The enemy struck the territory of vocational college dormitory in Rzhyshchiv, Kyiv region. Civilian casualties were reported. A civil critical infrastructure facility in Zhytomyr region was also damaged. In addition, the invaders launched more than 30 attacks using multiple launch rocket systems.

The threat of further enemy strikes throughout the territory of Ukraine remains high.

"Throughout the day, aircraft of the Defense Forces struck the enemy's anti-aircraft missile system, as well as launched 12 strikes on the areas of concentration of personnel and military equipment of the occupiers," the General Staff added.