The Defense Forces of Ukraine advanced in Andriivka and Klishchiyivka in the Bakhmut sector.

Hanna Maliar, Deputy Defense Minister, said that there has been some success in Andriyivka, but heavy fighting is still going on.

According to the Ukrainian military, fighting continues in these areas.

Andriivka is located 10 kilometers from Bakhmut.

This settlement is part of the Ivanivka Starosta municipality, which covers the villages of Ivanivske, Andriyivka, Klishchiyivka, Berkhivka, and Khromove.

According to the starosta, Olena Danko, there were about 1,200 people in all five settlements at the end of November 2022.

Serhii Cherevaty, spokesman for the Eastern Group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, explained that the liberation of settlements near Bakhmut allows the Ukrainian Forces to complete the encirclement of the city and encircle the enemy.

Therefore, the return of Andriyivka to the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will allow for the continuation of the successful encirclement of Bakhmut, where heavy fighting is taking place.

Klishchiyivka became a clash point after the Ukrainian army began fighting near Bakhmut.

Recently, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that the Defense Forces intend to liberate the settlement in the near future.

“Now you (the defenders – ed.), as always, are at the forefront of the attack, at the forefront of the fighting. You know that we have this (settlement) Klishchiyivka that needs to be liberated. And here, without exaggeration, your courage, your bravery, your skills are needed. And I don’t know anyone else who can fulfill these tasks,” Syrskyi said.

In early September, a Russian crossing with armored vehicles was destroyed in the Bakhmut sector near Klishchiyivka.