Ukraine’s Armed Forces have liberated three square kilometers south of the war-torn town of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, over the past week, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on Aug. 21.

“As for the Bakhmut area, news is now coming in about the southern and the northern flanks,” Malyar said.

Read also: Ukrainian soldiers shoot down Russian Ka-52 helicopter near Bakhmut

“If you look at the map, it looks somewhat like a horseshoe around Bakhmut.”

The enemy is trying to oust the Ukrainian troops on the northern flank near Bakhmut, as Ukraine holds the high ground in that area, Malyar noted.

Read also: Ukrainian military gains foothold near Urozhayne, advances south of Bakhmut, says General Staff

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“The Russians have been driven into a corner there since they cannot withdraw from Bakhmut and cannot fully advance there, so they’re trying to storm from the northern flank to oust the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the deputy minister added.

“The enemy is failing to do this, but the fighting is fierce there.”

According to Malyar, Ukraine’s military has liberated 43 square kilometers around Bakhmut since its counteroffensive began in June.

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