General Oleksandr Syrskyi: Ukrainian defenders keep pushing forward, liberating over 16 square kilometers of territory on the Bakhmut direction
In the context of the tense situation in eastern Ukraine, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced new information about the successes of Ukrainian troops in the fight against Russian aggression. According to him, over the past weeks, Ukrainian defenders have made significant advances, freeing approximately 16 square kilometers of territory around the strategic settlements of Udačne, Kotlyne, and Shevchenkove. He shared this information on his official Facebook account, emphasizing the indomitable spirit of Ukrainian warriors and their unwavering will to defend. "The enemy has not changed their maneuvers and objectives — they are trying to push our units beyond the borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and reach the administrative boundaries of these regions. However, all enemy attempts have been thwarted," Syrskyi stated. He added that the main goal of the Russian occupiers — remaining in the Donetsk and Luhansk directions — remains unfulfilled, as Ukrainian military units are successfully holding defense and actively counterattacking the enemy. The general highlighted the importance of conducting a defensive operation and stopping the enemy’s breakthrough. He noted that our defenders not only halt Russian assault attempts but also inflict significant losses on the enemy. "Over the past weeks, the Ukrainian army has liberated land that was previously temporarily occupied and continues to perform important combat missions. Every day, we stop about 30 enemy assault attempts in the Bakhmut direction, and each such day brings new successes and losses for the occupiers," Syrskyi emphasized. It is also noted that the general personally spent several days in the combat zone, visiting the operational-tactical group "Donetsk," where he reviewed the work of military units and confirmed their resilience and readiness for further battles. He stated that he visited all Ukrainian brigades currently bearing the main burden of resisting the exhausting spring offensive of the enemy. During his trip, the general carried out tasks related to monitoring the situation at the front, coordinating actions, and personally observing the combat capability and morale of Ukrainian defenders. He expressed deep gratitude to every soldier for their courage, resilience, and high professionalism, which are key to success in challenging combat conditions. Particularly important is the information that Ukrainian soldiers defend their positions daily, repelling numerous attacks by Russian troops, neutralizing assault groups, and maintaining strategic positions. This systematic defense ensures stability in the region and allows the Ukrainian army to intensify its counterattacks. Specifically, Ukrainian forces stop about thirty enemy breakthrough attempts every day, which is a significant contribution to the overall country’s defense process. This informational report confirms that Ukrainian defenders are not only holding the front line but also actively counterattacking, advancing in liberated areas, and bringing about a turning point on the eastern front. The situation remains tense, but Ukrainian military personnel demonstrate unwavering will and resilience, gaining new positions and regaining control of their territories. Overall, according to Syrskyi, a strategic operation is ongoing to hold and restore control over Ukraine’s eastern regions, and Ukrainian troops are proving worldwide their ability to stand up against the enemy and defend their land despite difficult combat conditions.