A spokesman for the Ukrainian Armed Forces told CNN on Saturday that Russia has not taken control of the eastern city of Bakhmut.
“The fighting in Bakhmut is more on the outskirts, the city is controlled by Ukraine’s defense forces: the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Border Guard and the National Guard,” according to Serhii Cherevaty, spokesman for the Eastern Group of the Armed Forces. .
In response to reports that some units had retreated, he said Ukrainian forces were rotating positions in Bakhmut in controlled, planned rotations.
“There is no major withdrawal of Ukrainian forces either,” he said.
So far on Saturday, he said hostilities have taken place around Bakhmut in the villages of Vasikivka and Dubovo-Vasilivka in the north of the city, and in the villages of Ivanivsk and Bohdanivka in the west.
“Near Bakhmut alone there were 21 enemy attacks using various artillery systems and MLRS, and 9 combat engagements. A total of 131 attacks and 38 battles took place on this front,” Cherewati said.
More than 150 Russian soldiers were killed and 239 wounded, and three were taken prisoner.
