Ukrainian forces had a “partial success” near the village of Klishchevka, southwest of Bakhmut.
Kyiv:
A military spokesman said on Friday that Ukrainian forces had advanced more than a kilometer over the past day against Russian forces near the eastern town of Bakhmut.
His comments were the latest indication by Kiev that the counter-offensive launched in early June is slowly progressing, although Russian accounts of the fighting in the Bakhmut area differ from Ukraine’s.
“The defense forces continue to take the initiative there, putting pressure on the enemy, conducting offensive operations, advancing on the northern and southern flanks,” military spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi told Ukrainian television.
“Notably, in the past day, they have advanced more than a kilometer (0.62 miles).”
A spokesman for the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said Ukrainian forces had a “partial success” near the village of Klishivka, southwest of Bakhmut.
Ukrainian military analysts have said that securing Klishivka would help Ukraine retake the shattered small town of Bakhmut, which was captured by Russian forces in May after 10 months of heavy fighting.
Russia’s RIA news agency quoted a Russian military source as saying earlier this week that Moscow’s forces had repelled the Ukrainian offensive on Klishchevka and were evacuating remaining Ukrainian troops in the area.
Reuters could not independently verify the situation on the battlefield.
Moscow, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine 16 months ago, sees Bakhmut as a stepping stone to attack other cities. Russia still holds Bakhmut but both sides say fighting in the area is intense, with Ukrainian forces expected to encircle the town.
Kiev says it has retaken a group of villages in the south since launching its counteroffensive, but fierce resistance and landmines have slowed its army’s progress. Russia still controls large parts of eastern and southeastern Ukraine.
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