Russia has accumulated most professional units in Bakhmut, but they fail to take full control of city - Ukraine's Defense Ministry

This was reported by Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Maliar at the Military Media Center.

"The enemy has concentrated its main efforts there (in Bakhmut - ed.) and we have to make great efforts to defend these borders," Maliar said.

Today, Russian troops are suffering losses in Bakhmut, but they are not stopping, they are striving to achieve this goal of taking control of the entire city.

"Despite the fact that the enemy has concentrated its most professional units in Bakhmut - Wagner troops, air assault units and special forces - the Russians cannot achieve their goal of taking full control of Bakhmut," emphasized the Deputy Defense Minister.

Maliar noted that fierce fighting between Ukrainian and  Russian soldiers continues in Marinka, Avdiivka and in the Lyman direction. 

"Despite the difficult situation, Ukrainian soldiers are fighting desperately and preventing the enemy from advancing and achieving their goals," she added.

• Russian troops have turned part of Bakhmut into the Syrian city of Aleppo, which was massively destroyed by bombing.