Ukraine: Heavy Losses for Russia in the South

A commander in the Ukrainian army announced today, Friday, that advancing troops are facing "desperate resistance" from Russian forces around Bakhmut in the eastern part of the country and that Moscow's troops have sustained heavy losses in the south. Reuters was unable to verify the situation on the battlefield. Ukrainian Ground Forces Commander General Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that the situation is tense in the east, and that Russia is sending its best forces to the Bakhmut sector supported by artillery and aircraft. Syrskyi wrote via the Telegram app: "We continue offensive operations in various directions and occupy prominent heights and sectors of forests in order to gradually force the enemy out of the outskirts of Bakhmut. Understanding this, enemy units are putting up desperate resistance." Syrskyi also clarified that Ukrainian forces are advancing in the south. Kyiv stated yesterday, Thursday, that it has regained control of approximately 100 square kilometers of its territory in just about a week since the start of its counteroffensive against Russian forces.