 The Ukrainian army advanced more than 500 meters in Bakhmut. Over the past day, the Ukrainian Defence Forces advanced up to 500 meters in different directions in the Bakhmut direction as part of a defensive operation. This was announced by the Speaker of the Eastern Group of Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Serhii Cherovati on the air of the Freedom TV channel. The Speaker noted that fierce battles continue in the city of Bakhmut. The enemy is trying to take the city at any cost. To do this, the enemy literally wipes it off the face of the Earth. They claim that the Defence Forces of Ukraine cannot use the city buildings as fortifications, Cherovati said. According to him, 456 times the enemy fired at the positions of Ukrainian defenders from various types of artillery, calibers and multiple launch rocket systems, thus confirming that there can be no talk of any shell hunger, Cherovati said. According to Cherovati, the Russian invaders understand that the initiative is gradually moving to the Ukrainian Defence Forces. Without a large number of reserves, without any superiority in the number of equipment and personnel over the enemy, nevertheless we beat him. We carry out a successful defensive operation and from time to time attack on the flanks. The Defence Forces advanced up to 500 meters in different directions, liberating Ukrainian land, namely in the Bakhmut direction, Cherovati stressed.