Russia’s defence ministry has said on Thursday it had hit what it referred to as the Bakhmut Central Command Unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
No details of the operation were provided, which ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said had taken place near the settlement of Konstiantynivka located about 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) southwest of Bakhmut in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
Russian forces have stepped up heavy artillery bombardments and air strikes on the devastated Ukrainian city in recent days.
Fighting has raged in and around Bakhmut in Donetsk region for months, with Ukrainian forces holding out despite regular claims by Russia to have taken the majority of the city.