 Ukrainian Armed Forces continue counter offensive in Bakhmut. Deputy Defense Minister Anna Maliar said that 10 Russian positions have been captured and the Ukrainian army is advancing in the direction of Bakhmut. We continue to advance in the direction of Bakhmut in the suburbs. Today our units captured more than a dozen enemy positions on the northern and southern edges of Bakhmut and cleared a significant part of the forest massive in the Ivanovo district. Maliar noted that Ukrainian Defense Forces have taken Russian soldiers as hostages. Everyone who knows the real situation and is now there understands the seriousness of the situation. Presently one meter is equal to ten kilometer on the frontline. Our soldiers continue to fight with determination, the official added.