KYIV – As part of a multi-pronged counteroffensive, Ukrainian forces have recaptured a village in the nation’s east after intense battles with Russian troops, the nation’s army mentioned Friday.
The village of Andriivka — about 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of the Russia-occupied the town of Bakhmut in the jap Donetsk area — is the newest acquire for Kyiv in a counteroffensive that has noticed gradual however secure positive aspects through Ukrainian forces.
The announcement of reclaiming Andriivka got here early Friday from the General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces.
The third Assault Brigade mentioned it captured the village after surrounding the Russian garrison in Andriivka in what it described as a “lightning operation” and destroying it over two days. It described the seize of Andriivka as a step forward on the southern flank of Bakhmut and “key to success in all further directions.”
Just hours earlier than confirming the seize of Andriivka early Friday, the brigade contested a remark through Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar announcing the village used to be reclaimed.
“It was difficult and yesterday’s situation changed very dynamically several times,” mentioned Maliar.
The preventing in and round Bakhmut, a salt-mining the town now in entire ruins, marked the struggle’s longest and bloodiest.
After Russian forces led through the Wagner Group army contractor captured Bakhmut in May, Ukrainian forces sought to envelop it from the south and the north, gaining floor meter through meter (backyard through backyard) in the previous 3 months.
Andriivka is situated between the settlements of Kurdiumivka and the heights of Klischiivka in the Donetsk area, the place preventing has been particularly intense. Ukraine’s General Staff mentioned Ukrainian forces additionally inflicted heavy losses on Russian troops as part of it’s offensive in within reach Klishchiivka village.
Maliar mentioned that Ukraine had regained 50 sq. kilometres (19 sq. miles) of land round Bakhmut since the start of the counteroffensive in June.