Ukrainian armed forces are entrenched at reached borders in Melitopol and Berdyansk direction, while intense battles are ongoing in Lyman direction — General Staff

This was reported by the spokesman of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andriy Kovaliov during the telethon.

“The defense forces of Ukraine are engaged in both defensive and offensive actions. They have successfully defended their positions without any losses. Offensive operations are ongoing in the Melitopol and Berdyansk directions. Over the past day, Ukrainian military personnel have achieved partial success and are consolidating their positions in the Novodarivka - Priyutne, Makarivka - Rivnopil, and Novodanylivka - Robotyne areas,” according to Kovaliov.

Reports indicate that Russian troops are focusing their main efforts on defense to prevent the advancement of Ukrainian soldiers and regain lost ground. 

However, the Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to resist the enemy's offensive in the Lyman, Bakhmut, and Kupyansk directions.

“The most intense fighting is occurring in the Lyman direction, particularly in the settlements of Yampolivka, Torske, Hryhorivka, Spirne, and west of Dibrova in the Donetsk region. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are bravely holding the line, inflicting significant losses in manpower and equipment on the enemy,” he emphasized.

Kovaliov: the situation in the Kherson region is catastrophic

As for the temporarily occupied territory, the military officer says that the worst situation is currently in the Kherson region.

“The Russian occupiers are exploiting and robbing the Ukrainian population in the affected areas, where flooding occurred due to the Russians damaging the Kakhovka HPP. At the checkpoints in the Kherson region, the occupiers seize humanitarian aid intended for the affected population and divert it for their own purposes,” he says. 

• According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in the past day, a helicopter, 10 drones, 8 tanks, and 1,010 Russian invaders were destroyed. More than 40 combat clashes took place on the front lines, and heavy fighting is ongoing in the eastern part of Ukraine.