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Ukraine\u2019s ground forces commander General Oleksandr Syrskyi claims three Russian brigades left with no combat capabilities after fighting in east around Bakhmut.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The general in command of Ukrainian ground forces said his troops have routed three of the best Russian brigades fighting on the front lines in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine.<\/p>\n General Oleksandr Syrskyi also said on Monday that the recapture of two eastern Ukrainian villages in recent days \u2013 Klishchiivka and Andriivka<\/a>, both of which are located on higher ground near the destroyed town of Bakhmut \u2013 was an important breakthrough.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the fighting in the Bakhmut section, some of the enemy\u2019s best units have been crushed and have completely lost their combat power,\u201d Syrskyi said in a statement.<\/p>\n The Russian units in question were the 72nd Motor Rifle Brigade as well as the 31st and 83rd Air Assault Brigades.<\/p>\n Hailing the recapture of Klishchiivka and Andriivka, Syrskyi said Ukrainian forces were continuing their advance and had some success piercing Russian defence lines, though Moscow\u2019s forces were counterattacking from multiple directions in a bid to regain their lost positions.<\/p>\n \u201cThese settlements, at first glance small, were important elements in the enemy\u2019s defensive line which stretched from Bakhmut<\/a> to Horlivka,\u201d Syrskyi said on the Telegram messaging app, referring to a town about 40km (25 miles) from Bakhmut.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a result of our troops\u2019 successful actions, the enemy\u2019s defensive line \u2013 which it tried to close by throwing all available reserves into battle \u2013 was breached,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u26a1\ufe0fCommander: Ukrainian forces breach Russian defensive line near Bakhmut. <\/p>\n Ukrainian troops have broken through one of the Russian defensive lines near Donetsk Oblast\u2019s Bakhmut, Land Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on Sept. 18.https:\/\/t.co\/JFn2GCcE0i<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) September 18, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ukrainian military spokesperson Ilia Yevlash also underlined the tactical importance of Klishchiivka, saying in televised comments that its recapture exposed the southern flank of Bakhmut and was \u201ca favourable springboard for further progress\u201d.<\/p>\n Russian forces captured the town of Bakhmut in May but Ukrainian forces continued to fight in fierce urban warfare that became one of the bloodiest and longest battles since Russia invaded last year.<\/p>\n Russia denied on Saturday that it had lost control of Andriivka<\/a> and the latest Ukrainian claims of battlefield gains against Russian forces could not be independently verified.<\/p>\n Washington, DC-based think tank The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said on Monday that Ukraine\u2019s advances south of Bakhmut and claims of destroying the combat capabilities of the three Russian brigades could indicate significant losses for Moscow.<\/p>\n \u201cThese VDV [Russian airborne] elements were involved in counterattacking and attempting to roll back Ukrainian advances around Bakhmut\u2026 and likely suffered heavy losses,\u201d the ISW said.<\/p>\n The ISW also said that Russian forces south of Bakhmut were \u201clikely battle-weary from recent efforts to hold\u201d Klishchiivka and Andriivka.<\/p>\n 3\/ Russian forces south of #Bakhmut<\/a> are also likely battle-weary from recent efforts to hold #Klishchiivka<\/a> and #Andriivka<\/a>\u2026<\/p>\n\n
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