The outskirts of the city of Bakhmut in the southwestern part remain under the control of the defense forces. The Armed Forces of Ukraine also control the entrance to the city itself.

This was announced by Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Maliar.

"In fact, the enemy's offensive activity in the Bakhmut direction has been stopped. So it seems on the news that there is a lull. But this cannot be called a lull. The enemy has increased the number of artillery attacks, that is, he is changing tools. The number of attacks today is commensurate with the times of the heaviest battles for Bakhmut," Maliar said.

The Russians are now regrouping and replacing the "Wagnerites" with regular troops, but the Ukrainian military in every way prevents them from doing so.

The advance of the Armed Forces on the flanks was suspended a few days ago. But this does not mean that they are standing, they are performing other military tasks that we cannot announce.

"These tasks are aimed at increasing the combat capability of our troops. Both sides are preparing and intensifying for further action. The struggle for this direction continues," said Hanna Maliar.

Earlier, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Maliar reported that the enemy does not abandon the goal of capturing Donetsk and Luhansk regions. At the same time, the intensity of offensive actions of Russians during the day is somewhat reduced. Instead, the intensity of shelling and air strikes remains.

Read also:

• Maliar spoke about the insidious plan of the occupiers in the Bakhmut direction
• The "Mamay" soldier spoke about the situation in Bakhmut directly from the enemy trenches: "Most of the Wagnerians remained in this land"
• American analysts spoke about the situation in Bakhmut: the pace of fighting in the direction is low