Ukraine conducting ‘offensive actions’ on front line, says Kyiv, noting some ‘success’
- ‘Defensive operation includes counteroffensive actions. Therefore in some sectors we are conducting offensive actions’; Bakhmut is still ‘epicentre of hostilities’
- Announcement from Kyiv came after Russia said it had repelled ‘large-scale offensive’ by Ukrainian forces in Moscow-occupied Donetsk region
Kyiv said on Monday it was conducting “offensive actions” on the front line and noted some progress in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.
The announcement from the defence ministry came after Russia said it had repelled “a large-scale offensive” by Ukrainian forces in the Moscow-occupied Donetsk region.
“The defensive operation includes counteroffensive actions. Therefore, in some sectors, we are conducting offensive actions,” Deputy Defence Minister Ganna Malyar said.
“The Bakhmut sector remains the epicentre of the hostilities,” she said, adding that Kyiv’s troops were occupying the “dominant heights” and reported some “success”.
“In the south the enemy is on the defensive,” she added.
The Russian mercenary group Wagner, which has led the assault for Bakhmut, said in May it seized the now ravaged city after the longest and bloodiest fight of the offensive.