An aerial view shows destructions in the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia鈥檚 attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine, in this handout picture released on May 21, 2023. Press Service of the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Machanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Handout via REUTERS
KYIV 鈥� Ukraine said on Monday its troops were still advancing on the flanks of the devastated eastern city of Bakhmut, although the 鈥渋ntensity鈥� of their movement had decreased and Russia was bringing in more forces.
Russia said on Saturday it had completely taken Bakhmut, but Ukrainian officials have said since then that Kyiv鈥檚 forces still control a small part of the city.
Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reiterated on Monday that Ukraine had a small foothold inside the city itself.
鈥淭hrough our movement on the flanks 鈥� to the north and south 鈥� we manage to destroy the enemy,鈥� she said in televised comments. 鈥淏y moving along the flanks and occupying certain heights there, our armed forces have made it very difficult for the enemy to stay in the city itself.鈥�
鈥淲e are still advancing, but the intensity is somewhat reduced. If we talk about the north, there is much less active action there. If we talk about the south, we are advancing and the defense of Bakhmut as a city has completely fulfilled its military objective.鈥�
Reuters was unable to verify the situation on the battlefield.
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