The Russian Ministry of Defense announced today that its forces have repulsed Ukrainian attempts to attack their positions in eastern Ukraine, hinting that their forces retreated slightly in one area for tactical reasons.

The Russian ministry said in a statement that Ukraine deployed more than 1,000 troops and up to 40 armored vehicles and carried out 26 attack attempts along a front line stretching over 95 kilometers. The strikes, according to the Russian statement, were carried out in the direction of the city of Solentar, which is under the occupation of Moscow’s troops.

“All attacks by Ukrainian army units have been repelled,” the statement said.

However, in the same statement, the ministry hinted that Russian troops had retreated to the front area, taking what it called “more advantageous positions” near the Berkhifka reservoir, northwest of Bakhmut.

Bahamut has been at the center of violent clashes for months now.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Russian units (see Wagner) continue fighting in western Bakhmut with the support of paratroopers.

Attempts by Ukrainians to counterattack on the flanks of the Bakhmut Front were repulsed, the report says.

Earlier today, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hana Malyar said that Ukrainian forces this week advanced about 2 kilometers around Bakhmut and did not leave their positions there.

Source: APE-MPE, Reuters.