Russia cannot capture Bakhmut, trying to surround Avdiivka – Maliar

Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported on Telegram.

According to the official, the situation in eastern Ukraine, in the areas of the defense operation, remains quite difficult.

"The aggressor is conducting major offensives simultaneously in four areas, namely: Lyman, Bakhmut, Marinka and Avdiivka," noted Maliar.

She emphasized that the Russian Federation has focused its main efforts on establishing control over Bakhmut, but they are mostly unsuccessful. 

"They are trying to advance to the central part of the city, in some areas it has minor variable success. But they cannot capture the city. Fierce fighting continues around and in the city," Maliar wrote.

According to her, the Russian troops are conducting offensives in the area of Avdiivka to surround the city and block supply routes. Moreover, fighting continues in Bilohorivka and Marinka.

• On March 31, the Russian army killed two people in Avdiivka, Donetsk region, and wounded three others in the region.

• Between February 24, 2022 and April 1, 2023, the Ukrainian Defense Forces eliminated about 173,990 invading Russian troops, including 630 people over the past day only.

• On March 31, Russian forces shelled Avdiivka in Donetsk region with artillery, killing two people, including a newborn. The day before the tragedy, the family was asked to evacuate the city.