KYIV, July 25 - Ukrainian armed forces have been making gains around the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, especially to the south, The War Zone reported on Tuesday citing Ukrainian and Russian military sources.

“Russian forces have retreated from their positions in Andriivka to the south of Bakhmut following a Ukrainian offensive operation,” General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces spokesperson Andrii Kovalov said during a briefing Tuesday. “Ukraine is conducting offensive operations both north and south of the city of Bakhmut, in Donetsk Oblast.”

Andriivka is about 4.5 miles south of the outskirts of Bakhmut.

The Russian Grey Zone Telegram channel, meanwhile, acknowledged that Ukrainian forces have captured the high ground surrounding Klischiivka, a little less than two miles south of Andriivka.

Russian artillery is firing on that tiny hamlet, “which itself is currently gradually moving into a gray zone,” Grey Zone reported. “The location of the heights near the settlement allows the enemy to have an advantage in conducting surveillance, as well as work on adjusting artillery fire directly on Klischiivka and reserves in the rear, who are trying to come to the aid of our soldiers holding the settlement and its surroundings.”

Bakhmut fell into Russian hands on May 21 after a long battle with heavy casualties on both sides. Continued fighting around that city comes as Ukraine is pushing its counteroffensive slowly through Zaporizhzhia region and elsewhere in the Donbas, while Russian forces appear to be pushing toward the Oskil River, near Kupiansk.

“The Ukrainians have been making slow and steady progress along the east and in the south,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told The War Zone Tuesday when asked about how the U.S. military assesses a Russian advance near Kupiansk. “But in terms of their operations and where Russians are positioning their forces, I will let the Ukrainians speak to how they plan to respond.” (wz/ez)