By Burc Eruygur
ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukraine on Monday claimed that its forces have retaken control of 4 square kilometers (1.5 square miles) of land in the direction of Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk region.
“In one week, 4 square kilometers of territory was liberated in the direction of Bakhmut. In total, during the offensive in this direction, the liberated area was 35 square kilometers (13.5 square miles),” Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said in a statement on Telegram.
Maliar said that Ukrainian forces conducted “successful offensive actions” on the southern flank in Bakhmut over the past week, and that they are continuing to advance in the area “gradually but confidently.”
She further claimed that the key battles are taking place outside the settlements of Klishchiivka, Andriivka and Kurdiumivka.
“The enemy continues to focus its main efforts on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka directions, heavy battles continue,” Maliar said, claiming that Russia actively conducted assaults in the direction of Kupiansk with the intention to push Ukrainian units “beyond the barrier line” of the Oskil River.
She claimed that Russia has also concentrated its efforts to displace Ukrainian forces in forested areas near the village of Serebrianka in the direction of Lyman, in addition to conducting “unsuccessful” offensives in the east of the settlement of Torske.
On the southern front, she said that Ukrainian forces continued offensive actions in the directions of Melitopol and Berdiansk in the Zaporizhzhia region.
“During the week, as a result of offensive actions in the south, the liberated territory was increased by 12.7 square kilometers (4.9 square miles). In general, the liberated area in the south is 192.1 square kilometers (74.1 square miles),” she further said.
Russian officials have not yet commented on Ukraine's claims, which could not be independently verified due to the ongoing war.