Russia’s Defense Ministry said today that its forces had repelled Ukrainian attempted attacks against its positions in eastern Ukraine and hinted that its forces had retreated slightly in one area for tactical reasons.

The ministry said in a statement that the Ukraine it had deployed over 1,000 troops and up to 40 tanks in 26 attempted attacks along a front line spanning over 95 kilometers. He said that the attacks were carried out in the direction of the city of Solentar, which is under the occupation of the forces of Moscow.

“All attacks by Ukrainian army units were repelled,” the ministry said. “No significant progress was allowed in the defense lines of the Russian forces.”

In the same announcement, the ministry hinted, however, that Russian forces retreated to an area of ​​the front, occupying “more favorable positions,” as it described them, near the Berkhifka reservoir, northwest of Bakhmut.

The Bahamut has been the focus of fierce conflict for months.

The Ministry of Defense said that Russian assault units, a reference to Wagner’s mercenaries, were continuing to fight in western Bakhmut – with the support of paratroopers.

Ukrainian attempts to counterattack on the flanks of the Bakhmut front are repulsed, according to the statement.

Earlier today Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hana Maliar said that Ukrainian forces advanced about 2 kilometers around Bakhmut this week and have not abandoned their positions there.