Despite being in a “difficult situation” in Kharkiv, Ukrainian troops can still repel Russian attacks in the eastern region, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said on Monday.
He also said that Ukraine managed to recapture an area of several square kilometers in the eastern battlefield in the past week.
Last week, the Ukrainian military said that Russia attacked Kupiansk, a small town in the Kharkiv region.
“The situation in Kupiansk is difficult. The enemy cannot move forward so they are pulling in additional troops,” Maliar told national TV.
“We have confidence in the capabilities of our troops, but it is very difficult for them and the enemy forces cannot advance there either,” he said.
According to Maliar, Ukrainian troops were advancing south of Bakhmut, a town Russian troops captured in May after months of heavy fighting, and they had liberated another three square kilometers of territory over the past week.
Reuters was unable to verify the report.
Maliar said there had been no significant change in the situation in the south, where Ukrainian troops were trying to push back Russian troops and reach the Sea of Azov.
“We must not underestimate the enemy. We must all be patient and support our armed forces,” he said, adding.
The Ukrainian military said on Thursday it had won in the southeast and was advancing from the recently liberated village of Urozhine.
However, a US official said last week that Ukrainian troops appeared to be having a hard time reaching and retaking the strategic Russian city of Melitopol, which is still occupied by Russia.
Source : Antara News
