Russian forces push to regain lost ground near Bakhmut: Ukrainians stand firm
The Ukrainian forces have undertaken the offensive operation south of Bakhmut, destroying two ammunition depots and an electronic warfare station.
Illia Yevlash, the press officer of Ukraine's Eastern Grouping, stated on the national telethon that the Ukrainian soldiers had been successful near the towns of Klishchiivka, Odradivka, and Shumy near Bakhmut, Rubryka reports.
"Our defenders continue with the offensive, knock out the occupiers from their lines, and consolidate their positions," Yevlash said. "The enemy does not abandon the attempts to recapture the lost positions near Klishchiivka and Andriivka, constantly storming and firing at our soldiers' positions. We are in defense."
According to the spokesperson, the Russian forces shelled the Ukrainian positions 544 times over the past day with various weapons, including heavy artillery systems and tanks. Seven combat clashes took place on the front line. The Russians used their tactical and army aviation four times, and Ukrainian troops eliminated 115 occupiers; three Russians surrendered.
The spokesperson also reported that the Ukrainian forces destroyed Russian military equipment: four Msta-B and Msta-S systems, one Pion self-propelled artillery system, two Giatsynt guns, seven D-30 guns, and two MT12 Rapira anti-tank guns, three cars, two ammunition warehouses, and one EW station.
Yevlash confirmed that the Ukrainian troops are keeping the section of the Bakhmut-Horlivka highway under fire control, disrupting the enemy logistics.
"It is much more difficult for the enemy to supply military support to their grouping on this front and to Bakhmut since this is one of the key routes on the southern axis," he said.
Yevlash reported that the Wagner and Kadyrov mercenaries are stationed on this part of the front, but they do not pose a serious threat to the Ukrainian forces.
"Kadyrovites [armed Chechen men under the control of Chechen Republic leader Ramzan Kadyrov] remain on the southern flank, but in reality, they do not pose a direct threat, and there is no need to talk about their very high efficiency," Yevlash added.
