Ukraine says it made territorial gains again on Friday with counter-attacks around the hotly contested eastern city of Pashmuyt. Also on Thursday, the Ukrainian army managed to advance further towards the city.

“The enemy continues its attacks inside the city,” Sergei Cherivati, commander of the armed forces in the east, told state television.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces put pressure on the Russian soldiers outside the city and continued to advance there. “The situation in Bashmoit is difficult, but it is under control,” Shervati said. “We can see, anticipate and prepare for the enemy’s intentions.”

Russian forces have been trying to capture the strategic city of Bashmut for months, but they seem to be losing momentum. They control large parts of the almost completely destroyed city, but Ukrainian forces have been advancing from the north and east in recent days to outflank the Russians.

Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said Moscow had moved thousands of soldiers to Pashmut for reinforcements. “The enemy cannot win with quality, so he tries with quantity,” she wrote in a Facebook post. “The Russian forces continue to attack, which has led to losses much greater than ours.” (Belgium)