Russia has significantly strengthened its forces around the destroyed city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine and moved its troops from a defensive position to “active operations,” a senior Ukrainian military commander said, according to Reuters.

In May, Russia captured the town of Bakhmut, the site of some of the bloodiest fighting in the 20-month war. Since June, Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive, trying to recapture the occupied territories in the south and east, including this city.

“In the Bakhmut area, the enemy has significantly strengthened the combat group and switched from defense to active actions,” wrote the commander of the Ground Forces, General Oleksandr Sirskyi, in the Telegram messenger.

He described the situation in the east as difficult, especially active Russian troops near the city of Kupyansk in northeastern Ukraine, where, according to him, Moscow troops are trying to advance simultaneously in several directions.

According to him, the Russian troops suffered heavy losses.

In its daily report on combat operations, the Ukrainian General Staff said that Russian forces are continuing to try to regain control of Andriyivka south of Bakhmut.

In September, Kyiv troops recaptured Andriyivka.

The General Staff of Ukraine stated that its troops continued to conduct their own assault operations south of Bakhmut and inflicted losses on the enemy in terms of personnel and equipment.