Ukraine’s Defense Ministry: AFU successfully advancing on several fronts in the south

Hanna Maliar, Ukraine’s deputy defense minister, says that the Ukrainian army is advancing in several directions in the southern part of the country.

“Our units in the south are meeting tactical success in basically every sector and direction. They’re gradually moving forward. As of now, [our troops have advanced] two kilometers [a little over a mile] in all directions. In some liberated positions and settlements, we’re continuing to strengthen our troops,” Maliar said.

She adds that in the eastern part of Ukraine, the armed forces are conducting “both defensive and counteroffensive operations.” Maliar says that Russian forces are trying to drive Ukraine’s Armed Forces from their positions and are conducting assault operations in several directions, particularly in the direction of Lyman.

Maliar added that the intensity of combat had “decreased somewhat” in the Bakhmut direction. Ukrainian forces are advancing on Bakhmut in several sectors and are occupying high points. “In the east, the enemy now has a significant number of forces, which they continue to strengthen by transferring extra units to Bakhmut from other directions,” the deputy minister said.