Ukraine says repelling attacks as Russia tries to regain positions near Bakhmut

(Patria) - Ukraine has said it repelled attacks by Russian forces trying to regain positions they lost around the eastern city of Bakhmut, Reuters reported.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group leading the assault on the city, said in a Telegram message that "difficult, bloody battles" were continuing and claimed his men were close to finishing the capture of Bakhmut itself.

A Ukrainian mortar unit near the city told Reuters that it had advanced this week but was facing heavy fire from Russian forces who appeared to have significant manpower and ammunition supplies.

"The fire has been intense this week. Our forces have advanced a little, stopped near the canal. It is difficult to dislodge them (the Russians) from there," said one Ukrainian soldier. Members of the unit said they were firing about 100 mortar shells a day at Russian positions. Ukraine says it made some progress on the flanks of the city this week, even as Wagner approached capturing the city itself.

Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defence Hanna Maliar said Russian forces had advanced in Bakhmut, but did not control the city.

"Extremely fierce fighting continues in the Bakhmut area. The enemy cannot win by quality, so they are trying quantity," she said on Telegram. Russia has increased the number of soldiers and the amount of ammunition, she added.

"The rate of advance of our troops in the suburbs of Bakhmut has somewhat slowed down today. At the same time, the enemy is unable to regain lost positions - our soldiers are repelling all enemy attacks in this area," she said on Friday.