KYIV: Ukraine’s forces continued its advancement against Russian forces and successfully recaptured a village in the country’s eastern region following intense clashes.
According to Ukraine forces, the village of Andriivka, situated approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of the Russian-occupied city of Bakhmut, was the backdrop of the longest battle in Russia’s war on Ukraine. Its liberation signifies another victory for Kyiv in its mission to reclaim territory from Moscow’s troops in Ukraine’s ongoing multi-pronged counteroffensive.
Ukraine’s General Staff of the armed forces announced the retaking of Andriivka early on Friday. There has been no confirmation or statement from Russian authorities regarding this development.
Ukraine launched its long-anticipated counteroffensive over three months ago. The reported recapture of Andriivka in Donetsk province highlights both progress and challenges faced by Ukrainian forces, even with supplies of NATO-standard equipment and Western weaponry.
The impending wet winter weather may slow down Ukrainian advances. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit Washington next week, where Congress is deliberating whether to provide more aid to Ukraine.
The 3rd Assault Brigade claimed to have taken control of Andriivka after encircling the Russian garrison in the village during a “lightning operation” that spanned two days. They referred to this successful action as a breakthrough on the southern flank of Bakhmut, describing it as “key to success in all further directions.”
Initially, the brigade contested a statement by Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar regarding the village’s recapture but confirmed the news on Friday, citing rapidly changing circumstances.
Maliar stated that Ukraine had regained 50 square kilometers (19 square miles) of land around Bakhmut since the counteroffensive began in June.
Ukraine Forces had Lost Bakhmut Control in May
The eight-month battle for control of Bakhmut, a city previously known for salt mining, now lies in ruins and constitutes the longest and likely the bloodiest battle of the war in Ukraine. Russian forces, along with mercenaries from the Wagner Group, captured Bakhmut in May.
In late June, Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin led his fighters from eastern Ukraine into Russia as part of a short-lived mutiny, representing the biggest challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s rule in over two decades. Prigozhin and several top lieutenants died in a plane crash while travelling between Moscow and St. Petersburg last month.
