Ukraine Makes Strides in Bakhmut: "Occupying Forces Encircled"
The contested region of Bakhmut remains a focal point in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. In a recent development, Ukrainian military units recaptured an additional three square kilometers in the past week, as confirmed by Defense Minister Hanna Maliar on August 21, as reported by The Kyiv Independent.
Maliar further elaborated that this latest advancement brings Ukraine's total territorial gains around Bakhmut to 43 square kilometers since the commencement of the summer counteroffensive. She illustrated the strategic situation on state television, noting that the gained ground now forms a semi-circular configuration encompassing the town, akin to a horseshoe shape.
Currently, Russia's efforts are concentrated on pushing back Ukrainian forces from the northern perimeter of the city, where they had seized key elevated positions. Maliar highlighted the proactive role of Ukrainian troops in pressuring the adversary in this area. She observed that the occupying forces are effectively hemmed in, unable to break free from Bakhmut's confines, which hampers their ability to mount substantial offensives.
It's important to note that the provided information originates from a party involved in the conflict and has yet to be independently corroborated. As such, cautious consideration is advised when evaluating its accuracy.