The General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces announced the retaking of Andriivka, nine miles south of Bakhmut in Donetsk, on Friday. The 3rd Assault Brigade said they had surrounded the Russian garrison and “practically liquidated the whole of [Russia’s] 72nd infantry brigade” in a “lightning operation.” A brigade spokesman said retaking the village was a breakthrough to the south of Bakmut that would be “key to success in all further directions.” Bakhmut fell to the Russians in May when it was captured by Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner forces. Ukraine’s army says it has gained 19 square miles around the city since the counteroffensive began in June.
