Ukraine liberates another key village near embattled city in east
- 18 September, 14:51
Ukraine has achieved another major success in its counteroffensive against Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Monday that the country’s armed forces captured a strategically important village of Klishchiivka near the devastated frontline city of Bakhmut. In a nightly video address, Zelenskiy praised the soldiers who had retaken Klishchiivka.
Earlier, chief of staff of the Ukrainian armed forces Andriy Yermak published a photo in Telegram with the caption “Ukraine always reclaims what is rightfully its own”.
Spokesperson for Ukrainian troops in the east Ilia Yevlash said Klishchiivka’s recapture would allow Ukrainian troops to continue to develop offensive actions and liberate more Ukrainian troops. Yevlash stressed that Ukrainian army inflicted “powerful damage” on Russian troops, including airborne units and Akhmat battalion of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
Located 9km south of Bakhmut, Klishchiivka was captured by Russian troops in January. The village’s recapture will allow the Ukrainian army advance more easily towards Russian forces as part of counteroffensive operation launched back in June.
Klishchiivka’s recapture follows the liberation of Andriivka village near Bakhmut on Friday and the Ukrainian troops’ advance in the south and north of Bakhmut. According to the commander of Ukrainian ground forces, Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, the two villages’ recapture will help Ukraine break through Russia’s defence lines near Bakhmut.
Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar stated on September 18 that Ukrainian troops had liberated 51 square kilometers near Bakhmut since the start of the counteroffensive.
The liberation of Klishchiivka and Andriivka villages also comes amid Zelenskiy’s upcoming visit to Washington where he will meet his counterpart Joe Biden. Ukraine’s success on the frontline also coincides with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s statement this week that there would be no speedy end to the Russian-Ukrainian war.
