The eastern town of Bakhmut has become a prime target for Russian troops, a Ukrainian military official said Sunday.
Serhii Cherevatyi, spokesman for the Eastern Group of the nation’s armed forces, said Ukrainian troops were holding out in Bakhmut, describing the situation as “very difficult, but under control.”
Russian units appeared to make some progress in the town a few days ago, though they also looked to be taking heavy casualties.
“Bakhmut has become a target number one for the occupation army in order to break through our defense, to reach the direction of Pokrovsk, Sloviansk, Kramatorsk … to demonstrate at least some success of their units directly on the battlefield,” Cherevatyi said.
Meanwhile in the Kherson region, head of the regional military administration Yaroslav Yanushevych said Russia’s forces have once again shelled residential areas.
That included attacks on private apartment buildings and other civilian infrastructure, according to Yanushevych.
One civilian in Kherson was killed and two were injured Saturday, he said.
Ukrainian officials say Russia left numerous mines, tripwires and other dangerous objects throughout the Kherson region, with the National Police reporting they have seized 4,200 explosive devices and destroyed another 1,250.
In the city of Kherson, crews have restored electricity supply, with about 75% of the community gaining access to power as of Sunday morning, according to the regional military administration.
CNN’s Tim Lister and Julia Kesaieva contributed to this report.
