Russian forces continued offensive operations around Bakhmut with intense fighting reported near Opytne, Soledar, and Zaitseve, involving Wagner troops attempting to break through Ukrainian defenses.

Intense fighting ongoing near Opytne in Kurdyumivka direction

Fierce battles continue in outskirts of Soledar and Bakhmut

Wagner troops trying to break through Ukrainian defenses

Ukrainian forces repelling attacks and evacuating civilians from Klyshchiivka

More than 50 Ukrainian cities, towns and villages came under Russian fire, including Soledar, Vuhledar, Yakovlivka and Vesele in Donetsk Oblast.

ISW had previously observed Russian forces using K-51 grenades against Ukrainian positions in Donetsk Oblast in November 2022

Russian servicemen wrote an open letter to Vladimir Putin in which they said they had lost 300 men in just four days of fighting. They blamed the military high command for the losses and requested an independent commission to investigate what was going wrong.

Explosions hit the Akhtamar hotel near Volnovakha, destroying approximately 10 units of military equipment and eliminating a base for Kadyrovite forces.

Occupation propagandists falsely claimed a civilian road was attacked, whereas the location is used for daily military logistics.

In Avdiivka - isolated flights at night, two massive artillery fire in the morning.