Russian troops do not make much progress near Bakhmut - Ukrainian Ground Forces spokesman

This was stated by Volodymyr Fitio, Head of Public Relations of the Ground Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on the Espreso TV channel.

"The Armed Forces of Ukraine are in active defense. At the best opportunity, Ukrainian troops improve their tactical position and, whenever possible, move to offensive actions. That is, the Russian forces are not making much progress, they are more stalling," Fitio said.

The Russian forces are not abandoning their plans to advance in the Bakhmut direction. They have concentrated large forces there, he noted.

"We are talking about paratroopers, marines and assault units formed from former prisoners. The Russian forces are trying to advance and storm. They want to advance on Chasiv Yar and then build on their success to Kramatorsk, Sloviansk and Druzhkivka. Russian army did not take into account that the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Defense Forces are fighting against them and will not allow them to implement these plans," explained the military spokesman.

• On December 19, the deputy commander of the 3rd Detached Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Rodion Kudryashov, said that Russia had intensified its offensive in the Bakhmut sector.