Zelensky confirms the liberation of Klishchivka, on Bakhmut's southern flank: "Thank you for saving our land"
The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed this Sunday night the liberation by Ukrainian troops of the town of Klishchivka, less than ten kilometers south of occupied Bakhmut.
“Klishchivka. I thank our fighters for liberating our land,” Zelensky wrote in a message in which he shared the video of his daily address to the nation.
The Ukrainian president cited in his thanks the 80th and 95th Air Assault brigades and the 'Furia' brigade of the National Police, created especially for the counter-offensive.. He also thanked those who resisted the Russian attacks from Kupiansk -northeast- to Kherson -south-.
Klishchiivka. I thank our warriors for liberating our land.
The 80th Air Assault, 5th Assault, and the renowned 95th Air Assault brigades, as well as the National Police's “Fury” Assault Brigade.
I thank everyone who is standing strong from Kupiansk to the left bank of Kherson! pic.twitter.com/ZkLakPhMOH
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 17, 2023
According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the recapture of Klishchivka, combined with the capture of Andrivka, also south of the eastern town of Bakhmut, will give Ukraine a solid “platform” to continue its advances on that part of the Donetsk province front.. Moscow has so far denied that its troops lost these two towns.
During the past week, kyiv forces have totally or partially liberated three towns located south of Bakhmut: Andrivka, Klishchivka and Optine. Since beginning its counteroffensive in early June, Ukraine has confirmed the liberation of some 50 square kilometers around Bakhmut.