Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar announced the progress of forces towards the occupied cities of Melitopol and Berdyansk in the south by the Sea of Azov, stating that Ukrainian troops are successfully attacking in the east on the outskirts of occupied Bakhmut. Maliar reported "Ukrainian successes in the southeastern part of the country, including areas near the village of Staromayorsk, adjacent to a group of small villages that Ukraine regained control over in the Donetsk region this summer."
She stated, "Fighting continues near Staromayorsk. Our defenses have achieved successes. A foothold is being gained at the border they have reached," adding that "Ukrainian forces in the east have continued to repel the Russian advance toward Kupiansk and Lyman, which Ukraine liberated last year." Maliar mentioned, "Intense fighting is taking place near the villages of Klishchivka, Kordiyivka, and Andriivka on the southern side of the small city of Bakhmut, which has been reduced to rubble in a bloody battle that lasted for months and currently gives Russian forces control over the area."
Despite regular Western military aid, Ukrainian military officials stated that "Russia still holds an advantage in artillery, tanks, and troops." Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov revealed that "1,700 drones are on their way to the front lines to assist in the attack." Fedorov, in a video showing hundreds of drones lined up in a square, stated: "All of them are heading to the front now to protect the lives of our soldiers and make our artillery more precise in destroying the enemy."
He added that "Ukrainian factories have sharply increased domestic drone production, and over ten thousand people have already been trained to operate these drones, alongside another ten thousand who are currently receiving training."
