Ukrainians Report Capturing a Village Near Bakhmut, While Heavy Fighting Continues

Ukrainian military forces have taken control of the village of Andriivka, located south of the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. This was announced on Thursday by Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar.

“Andriivka is ours,” she stated.

Despite Maliar's declaration, shortly afterward, the official channel of the 3rd Assault Brigade, which is conducting the attack near Bakhmut, reported that the announcement regarding the capture of Andriivka was made “prematurely,” and “heavy fighting” continues in both Andriivka and Klishchiivka.

Since the end of spring, Ukrainian forces have been launching assaults toward Bakhmut, following a protracted assault involving the Wagner group that resulted in the city coming under Russian control. Andriivka is the first locality reclaimed by Ukrainian forces near Bakhmut.

Several Russian military Telegram channels had previously reported that Russian troops had abandoned both Andriivka and the neighboring Klishchiivka. However, they claimed that both devastated localities were in the so-called “gray zone,” meaning they were not controlled by either side.