Successfully Reclaiming A Number Of Areas In Bakhmut From Russia, Deputy Minister Of Defense Of Ukraine Calls Not A Counterattack

JAKARTA - Ukrainian troops have made progress around Bakhmut in recent days, but Russian forces are also progressing in the eastern city itself, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malaar said on Tuesday.

He said the Ukrainian military had reclaimed about 20 square kilometers (7.5 square miles) of territory from Russian forces in recent days around Bakhmut, where fighting had been fierce for months.

Maliar, who had previously indicated Ukraine's progress around Bakhmut was not part of a broader counter-attack planned by Kyiv, said developments there should not be taken out of context.

"For example, within days, our troops released about 20 square kilometers of enemies in the north and south of the suburbs of Bakhmut," he wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

"At the same time, the enemy was progressing in Bakhmut itself, destroying the city with artillery," he continued.

He stressed that Russia was sending new paratroopers and added: "The fierce battle continues with different results." Reuters was unable to verify the situation on the battlefield.

Earlier, the Ukrainian military said last week it began beating Russian troops back around Bakhmut after months of fierce fighting.

Meanwhile, Moscow also acknowledged that its troops had withdrawn to the north of Bakhmut City.

Moscow saw Bakhmut, a city of about 70,000 people before Russia's massive invasion nearly 15 months ago, as a stepping stone to seize the eastern Donbas region.