Ukrainian forces regain more advantageous positions near Andriivka - ISW

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports.

“Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations in the Bakhmut area but did not make any confirmed gains on October 2. Ukrainian Eastern Group of Forces Spokesperson Captain Ilya Yevlash stated that heavy fighting continues south of Bakhmut near the railway line, along which runs the current Russian line of defense,” the report reads.

Yevlash stated that Russian forces aim to hold the defensive line along the railway south of Bakhmut at any cost. A Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces continued attempts to advance east of the railway line near Andriivka (10km southwest of Bakhmut) and that Ukrainian forces hold unspecified ”more advantageous” positions in the area.

A Russian source claimed that a Chechen “Akhmat” special forces detachment and the 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade’s 1st Battalion repelled a Ukrainian attack near Klishchiivka (7km southwest of Bakhmut). The Russian MoD claimed that Russian forces repelled Ukrainian attacks near Andriivka.

It is also noted that Russian troops continued counterattacks in the area of Bakhmut, but made no progress on October 2. Ukraine's General Staff reported that Russian troops unsuccessfully tried to recapture lost positions near Andriivka.

• On September 15, Ukrainian troops took control of the villages of Klishchiivka and Andriivka south of Bakhmut.

• On September 24, Eastern Direction spokesman Ilya Yevlash said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had taken fire control of the Bakhmut-Horlivka highway, which the occupiers use for logistics.

• Later, the artillery brigade's spokesperson said that Russia had changed the logistics in the Bakhmut direction.