In a statement posted on Telegram, Maliar wrote: "Yesterday and today there have not been any active battles- neither in the city nor on the flanks."
Instead, Moscow's troops were focusing on shelling the outskirts and approaches of Bakhmut, the Ukrainian official said.
According to Maliar, the reduction in Russia's offensive activity was a result of troop replacements and regrouping, as "the enemy is trying to strengthen its own capabilities."
Meanwhile, high-ranking Ukrainian officials indicated that their forces were prepared to initiate a long-awaited counteroffensive aimed at reclaiming the territory that had been seized by Russia since the beginning of the conflict.
(ał)
Source: Reuters