Ukraine talks about progress in Bakhmut, and Russia shoots down two drones around Moscow

 Ukraine announced - today, Saturday - that its forces fought more than 20 clashes with Russian forces yesterday, Friday, and regained control of a village near Bakhmut, while Russia said that its air defenses shot down two Ukrainian drones over two areas located north and south of Moscow.

In its morning report on Saturday, the Ukrainian army said that Russian forces failed to penetrate its defenses in the Yagidny and Bogdanivka regions on the Bakhmut axis in the Donetsk region in the east of the country and that its forces thwarted attacks by Russian forces at Avdiivka, Marinka, and Shakhtar.

He pointed out that Russian forces launched 59 air strikes and 36 missile attacks. The Ukrainian army also stated that its forces were continuing the attack on the Zaporizhzhia axis towards the city of Molotopol, where the Russian forces inflicted heavy losses, forcing them to retreat.

In turn, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his forces regained control of the village of Andreyevka near Bakhmut, confirming statements issued by his army earlier. "For Ukraine, it is an important result and we needed it very much," he added.

According to Kyiv, Ukrainian forces in the Kherson region to the south caused damage to Russian supply depots, and Ukrainian aviation launched 3 raids on the areas where Russian forces and their military equipment were stationed.

On the other hand, the Russian Ministry of Defense said on Saturday that Russian air defenses shot down two Ukrainian drones over the Kaluga regions (about 200 km south of Moscow) and Tver (about 180 km north of Moscow).

In recent weeks, marching attacks against Russian territory have increased, especially over the border areas near the Russian capital, as well as the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014, as part of the Kyiv counterattack that began early last June.

In a related matter, Ukrainian Chief of Staff Valery Zalughny announced that he discussed in a meeting with American and British military leaders the issue of developing the situation on the battle fronts. During the meeting, the Ukrainian army's need for ammunition and military equipment was also reviewed.

For his part, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal announced that half of the state budget scheduled for next year, estimated at $82 billion, is allocated to the war effort.

Shmyhal said - in a press conference after the budget was approved - that the budget is based on the war continuing next year, and will support the production of drones, missiles, and ammunition.

Internationally, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that her country's military support is limited to strengthening Ukraine's capabilities in defending itself within its territory only.

For his part, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that his country will announce a new military aid package for Ukraine next week, and added in a press conference that President Joe Biden will meet his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, in Washington, to confirm Ukraine’s support.

Reuters said - last Monday - citing American officials, that the United States is considering sending tactical missile systems, or multiple-launch guided missile systems with a range of up to 70 kilometers equipped with cluster bombs, or both systems, to Ukraine.

Kyiv has repeatedly asked the Biden administration to provide it with tactical missile systems to assist in its counterattack, cutting off supply lines, and striking air bases and railway networks in territory controlled by Russia.

Source: Agencies