The Russian Ministry of Defense has acknowledged its forces pulled back from areas north of the embattled eastern city of Bakhmut, claiming they moved to more advantageous defensive positions, APA reports citing CNN.
"In order to increase the stability of defense, units of the 'Southern' group of Russian troops occupied the line in the Maloilyinovka direction," the ministry said in its daily update on Friday.
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The move, it said, would allow its troops to take advantage of "the favorable conditions of the Berkhivka reservoir," but it effectively confirms the loss of some kilometers of territory by Russian forces.
Ukrainian forces have been able to push the Russians back 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) around Bakhmut over the past week, the country's deputy defense minister said Friday.
Source: Azeri-Press News Agency