Russia denied today, Saturday, the validity of claims made by Kyiv regarding the restoration of control over the destroyed village of Andriivka in eastern Ukraine, which serves as a launching point towards the town of Bakhmut. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated, "The enemy has not abandoned its plans to seize the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk People's Republic, and has continued its offensive operations in a failed attempt to dislodge Russian forces from the populated centers of Klishchiivka and Andriivka."
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine indicated yesterday, Friday, that "the forces achieved partial success near the village of Klishchiivka to the south of Bakhmut as well." A senior military spokesperson noted that Ukrainian forces are making progress in both the east and south, the main theaters of Kyiv's counteroffensive against the Russian invaders.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, its forces still control at least two key villages south of Bakhmut, known in Russia as Artemivsk from the Soviet era. Andriivka is located south of the largely destroyed Bakhmut, which held significant symbolic importance for Russia due to the fierce and protracted battle to capture it since the start of Moscow's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The ministry stated that over the past week, it repelled 16 Ukrainian attacks, resulting in more than 1,700 casualties among Ukrainian forces, alongside the loss of 16 tanks. Ukrainian ground forces commander General Oleksandr Syrskyi posted a video on Telegram claiming it serves as evidence that Kyiv's forces fully control Andriivka. The footage shows Ukrainian soldiers advancing across devastated terrain littered with charred tree remains while taking cover amid ruins of buildings.
Another clip showed trucks speeding along an abandoned road. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said that the Bakhmut area is the site of "the fiercest fighting." She added via Telegram: "Offensive operations continue south of Bakhmut. Things are intense in Klishchiivka and Kordiumivka," referring to two other villages near the city.
Reuters was unable to verify battlefield reports. In the south, where Ukrainian forces are attempting to advance towards the Sea of Azov, Maliar stated that the forces are "inflicting significant losses on the occupiers in terms of personnel and equipment." Ukraine hopes to cut the land bridge established by Russia between the Crimean Peninsula and the territories under its control in the east.
