Ukrainian forces reveal how Russian elite units were destroyed during liberation of Andriivka

He said this on Espreso TV. 

"Back in early May, we first defeated the 72nd Brigade of the Russian Federation, bleeding it dry and depriving it of its personnel. However, the brigade continued to occupy the designated defense line. That is, the brigade itself was almost gone, it was replenished by other brigades and formations. During this time, we have thoroughly shattered the 57th Brigade, the 83rd Airborne Brigade, the 85th Brigade, the so-called Storm Z PMC of the Russian Ministry of Defense, and the 31st most elite brigade of the enemy," Kukharchuk emphasized.

The commander of the 2nd Assault Battalion reminded that the second battalion of the 31st Guards Airborne Brigade is considered Putin's fire brigade.

"In other words, the 72nd Motorized Rifle Brigade was being saturated with the most loyal units. They have a lot of forces and means, and all this time they almost lost control. It was already completely lost when we entered Andriivka, the 3rd battalion commander of this brigade was eliminated, the chief of intelligence, the chief of communications of the brigade and many commanders were eliminated," added Kukharchuk.

• The recent advance of Ukrainian troops south of Bakhmut has degraded Russian defense units in the area, as the Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed the combat capability of elite Russian units during the liberation of Andriivka and Klishchiyivka.

What is known about the liberation of Andriivka and Klishchiyivka near Bakhmut?

On September 14, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said that the Ukrainian military had liberated the village of Andriivka near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. However, the 3rd Detached Mechanized Brigade denied the statement and called it false.

On September 14, the Defense Forces successfully advanced in the area of Klishchiyivka, Donetsk region. According to the General Staff, as of the morning of September 15, it became known that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had liberated Andriivka.

On September 16, the American Institute for the Study of War noted that after the Ukrainian military liberated Andriivka, they continued offensive operations near Bakhmut and in the western Zaporizhzhia region. At the same time, the tactical situation south of Bakhmut worsened for the Russian army.

On September 17, the Ukrainian Defense Forces completely liberated Klishchiyivka, south of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, but the enemy continued to try to capture the town.

On September 18, the General Staff reported that the Ukrainian military repelled Russian attacks near Bila Hora in the Bakhmut sector, and in the area of Klishchiyivka in the Donetsk region they continued assault operations, inflicting significant losses in manpower and equipment on the enemy, and consolidating their positions.

Subsequently, the deputy commander of the 3rd Detached Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Major Rodion Kudriashov, noted that after the successful advance of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, an opportunity to liberate Bakhmut from the occupying Russian troops opened up.