Ukraine announced on Friday a significant triumph in the ongoing conflict, declaring the recapture of the war-torn eastern village of Andriivka.
This accomplishment is poised to pave the way for further advancements along the southern flank of Bakhmut, a city that fell under Russian control in May, following months of intense combat.
According to the Ukrainian General Staff’s morning report, Kyiv’s forces are consolidating their foothold in the area, while Russian troops have suffered substantial casualties and equipment losses.
As of now, there has been no immediate response from Russia regarding this development.
The General Staff stated, “In the course of assault operations, they seized Andriivka in Donetsk region.” Situated south of Bakhmut, Andriivka was the epicenter of the fiercest and most protracted battle since Russia’s invasion in February of the previous year.
The General Staff also reported “partial success” near Klishchiivka, another village located to the south of Bakhmut.
The Third Assault Brigade, which played a pivotal role in the operation, emphasized the importance of capturing and holding Andriivka, seeing it as the key to success in their broader offensive.
They proceeded with caution to minimize losses from landmines and the robust Russian defenses.
Brigade spokesman Oleksandr Borodin explained, “They defend their flanks very heavily here because they understand if (their) flank falls completely, it will create direct problems to hold the city (Bakhmut) itself.”
Andriivka’s geographical elevation grants Ukrainian artillery an advantageous position, facilitating their operations in the area, according to Kyiv-based military analyst Oleksandr Musiyenko.
Ukraine’s counteroffensive, which has been ongoing for three months, has reported gradual but consistent progress against well-entrenched Russian positions.
While several villages have been retaken, and flanks around Bakhmut have seen advancements, no major settlements have been recaptured.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other Ukrainian officials have dismissed criticism from Western observers who argue that the offensive has been sluggish and plagued by strategic missteps.
Further to the south in the Donetsk region, Ukrainian forces continued to thwart a Russian offensive aimed at the towns of Avdiivka and Maryinka.
General Staff spokesman Andriy Kovaliov noted that the defenders had successfully repelled all Russian attacks near Maryinka.
On the southern front, the General Staff reported that Ukrainian troops were inflicting significant losses on the enemy near the village of Verbove in the Zaporizhzhia region.
It is important to note that Reuters could not independently verify the information provided in these battlefield reports.
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