Ukrainian forces regain control over southwest area of Bakhmut
Ukrainian forces control the southwest of Bakhmut and are making gains in some areas around the city as of May 18, the deputy minister of defense reports.
Hanna Maliar said that Russia had deployed most of its reserve forces to Bakhmut.
Russia has deployed most of its reserve forces to Bakhmut, significantly reinforcing its troops in the city. Russian forces conducted numerous assaults on Thursday, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces successfully repelled all Russian attacks, she said.
Russian troops attacked the Ukrainian forces on the northern outskirts of Bakhmut; those attacks were equally unsuccessful. Ukrainian forces advanced by up to 500 meters in parts of the Bakhmut front.
Fierce fighting also took place on the southern outskirts of Bakhmut. Russian forces went on the offensive to regain the territories they had lost, but sustained losses and were not able to accomplish their goals. Ukrainian forces advanced by up to one kilometre in this area, Maliar added.
She has stressed that the defense of Bakhmut and its outskirts is fulfilling its military tasks. Ukraine is now gaining time for certain planned actions.
The commanders of the Khortytsia Operational and Strategic Group of Forces, responsible for the Bakhmut front, maintain control over the situation in and around the city.
The 3rd separate assault brigade, as part of the Ground Forces, reported a breakthrough on the western outskirts of Bakhmut. Ukrainian soldiers advanced 2,000 m in width and 700 m in depth.
According to the General Staff, 17 combat clashes took place in the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Marinka directions during the day. The fiercest battles are taking place in the cities of Bakhmut and Marinka in the Donetsk region.
