Defense Ministry Reports Russian Forces Have Captured Andriivka Near Bakhmut

The Defense Ministry of Russia announced on Thursday that their forces had gained control of Andriivka village in eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine, located southwest of Bakhmut.

The Ukrainian General Staff later reported that Ukrainian troops were successfully defending against three separate Russian attacks in the Andriivka and Novyi areas.

Andriivka had been liberated by Ukrainian forces last September during a counteroffensive, although they faced difficulties breaking through Russian defensive lines.

The Ukrainian military has indicated that Russia is now focusing its main offensive efforts on the front line in eastern Ukraine.