Zelenskyy confirms recapture of Klishchiivka in Bakhmut’s southern flank

Kyiv, Sep 18 (EFE).- Ukrainian troops have recaptured Klishchiivka, located less than ten kilometers (6 miles) south of Russian-occupied Bakhmut, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

“Klishchiivka. I thank our warriors for liberating our land,” Zelenskyy said in a message accompanying his daily video address to the nation on X, formerly Twitter.

The Ukrainian president made a special mention of the 80th Air Assault, 5th Assault, and the 95th Air Assault brigades, as well as the National Police’s Liut (Fury) Assault Brigade, created especially for the counter-offensive Ukraine launched in June.

“I thank everyone who is standing strong from Kupiansk to the left bank of Kherson!” he added.

The Ukrainian armed forces said that the recapture of Klishchiivka, along with the capture of Andriivka, also south of the eastern city of Bakhmut, would give Ukraine a springboard to continue its advances in that part of the Donetsk province front.

Moscow has so far denied that its troops have lost these two villages.

Over the past week, Kyiv forces have fully or partially liberated three villages south of Bakhmut: Andriivka, Klishchiivka and Opytne.

Since beginning its counteroffensive, Ukraine has confirmed the liberation of some 50 square kilometers (19 square miles) around Bakhmut. EFE

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