Heavy fighting continues. Over past week, 9 square kilometers of territory in East and 28.4 square kilometers in South were liberated, - Ministry of Defense

Both offensive and defensive actions continue in the east. We are advancing in the Bakhmut direction, while the enemy continues to advance in the Lyman, Avdiivka, and Mariinka direction.

This was reported by Deputy Minister of Defence Hanna Maliar on her Telegram channel, Censor.NET reports.

As noted, the enemy is trying to force our troops out of their positions, but is receiving a worthy rebuff. Heavy fighting is currently taking place there.

"Over the past week, as a result of the improvement of the operational (tactical) situation and the alignment of the front line, the liberated area has increased by 9 sq km," noted Maliar.

According to her, the number of hostile attacks in the east doubled over the week:
⁃ the week before last 6457 attacks
⁃ last week 11753 attacks

"In the south, the Ukrainian Defence Forces continue to conduct offensive operations in the Melitopol and Berdiansk sectors, namely, they conducted offensive operations in the areas of Novodariivka, Pryiutne; Novodanilivka, Robotyne; Novosilka, Staromayorske, and were successful," the statement said.

Read more: Armed Forces of Ukraine are advancing with heavy fighting in BerdIansk and Melitopol directions, - Maliar

Maliar also informs that over the past week, the area liberated has increased by 28.4 kilometres. In total, the liberated area in the south is 158.4 km2.