Number of Russian troops in Bakhmut sector remains unchanged – Ukrainian officer Nazarenko

He said this on the Espreso TV channel.

"We need to clearly understand that modern warfare tactics mean that our and enemy artillery, as well as other means of destruction, are capable of striking. And the closer you get to the contact line, the more saturation there is with such munitions. For example, at a distance of 30–40 kilometers, HIMARS MLRSs operate, and at a greater distance, long-range weapons operate. However, the first line of demarcation is of the utmost importance. That is, the next position for which we are fighting," explained Nazarenko.

The serviceman added that the Russian enemy is neither reinforcing its grouping in the Bakhmut sector with personnel, nor is it reducing it.

"In the Donetsk sector, fighting is going on for every forest belt. Villages and buildings are simply destroyed. For example, we can name Klishchiivka, which is completely destroyed. The fighting continues in the fields, plantations, and trenches. The enemy has not increased the number of troops in the Bakhmut sector. However, it has not reduced it either. Their main task in this area is to sit in trenches, endure shelling and shoot back from time to time. Perhaps, Russian enemy is really moving reserves somewhere in the rear. However, the concentration of enemy troops in our direction and in other directions remains unchanged," he added.

• Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) write that Ukrainian forces are making progress near Bakhmut and Robotyne and are holding the line near Avdiivka, where the Russian army is conducting ineffective "cannon fodder" assaults.

• The Russian occupiers are trying to encircle Avdiivka in Donetsk region and are using aviation to do so. In return, the Ukrainian Defense Forces inflict significant losses on the enemy: 680 soldiers per day.