ISTANBUL 

Ukraine claimed Tuesday that Russian forces near Andriivka in the Bakhmut district of the Donetsk region were “forced to retreat” from positions in the area.

“In the direction of Bakhmut, our troops continue to conduct offensive actions north and south of the city of Bakhmut. In the course of the offensive-assault actions of our soldiers, the enemy was forced to retreat from their positions in the Andriivka area,” said a statement by Ukraine’s General Staff on Facebook.

It said Ukrainian forces continued to conduct offensive actions in the directions of Melitopol and Berdiansk in the Zaporizhzhia region.

“They were successful in the direction of Staromaiorske, and they are establishing themselves at the achieved milestones. The enemy continues to put up strong resistance, moves units and troops, and uses reserves,” it added.

Russian officials have not yet commented on the claim, and independent verification of Ukraine’s claims is difficult due to the ongoing war.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​