According to the officer, Ukrainian positions near the Grianikovka settlement were hit by the artillery of the Western group, forcing the enemy to retreat to their previously occupied positions, TASS news agency reported on Monday.

Zibinski also specified that the Russian forces eliminated three enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups belonging to the 14th independent Mechanized Brigade near the settlements of Grianikovka, Olshana and Pershotravnevoye.

The Western group also disrupted three rotations of Ukrainian units in forward positions near the settlements of Kotliarovka and Stelmajovka during the battle, the spokesman said.

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