Ukrainian Defense Forces intercept operational initiative in Bakhmut direction - Malyar

Hanna Malyar, the Deputy Minister of Defense, reported this on Telegram, according to Ukrinform.

"The offensive of our Defense Forces is ongoing in the Melitopol, Berdiansk and Bakhmut directions. Our troops are grabbing every meter of land from the enemy in a tough battle. They are making progress," said Malyar.

At the same time, she said, the enemy is continuing its unsuccessful offensive in the Lyman, Avdiivka and Marinka directions.

"In the Rivnopil-Volodymyr direction, our troops are successful, now they are consolidating their positions and inflicting serious losses on the enemy. In fact, they are exsanguinating the enemy's offensive potential, destroying equipment, warehouses, control points and personnel. In the Zaporizhzhya and Melitopol directions, we are destroying the enemy," the Deputy Minister noted.

She noted that "the enemy is pulling up all its reserves for defense, even a marine brigade that once fled Kherson."

Malyar reported that there is a 1300-meter advance in the Berdiansk direction.

"In the Bakhmut direction, our troops intercepted the operational initiative in this section of the frontline. The enemy is trying to hold their positions, conducting counterattacks, but is gradually retreating after suffering losses," said the deputy minister.

According to Malyar, Ukrainian troops advanced 1200 meters in the direction of Klishchiyivka and 1500 meters in the direction of Kurdiumivka.

"The fight is ongoing on the flanks of the city. Our troops are making progress. They are now consolidating their positions on the liberated frontiers. In general, the situation in the Bakhmut direction is hot again, fierce fighting continues. The enemy is pulling up reserves there and clinging to Bakhmut with all its might," she said.

As reported by Ukrinform, from February 24, 2022, to June 29, 2023, the Ukrainian Defense Forces eliminated about 227,780 Russian invaders, including 680 people over the past day.