MOSCOW. May 12 (Interfax) - Russian assault units, backed by the Airborne Forces, are fighting in the western part of Artyomovsk (Bakhmut), Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said at a press briefing on Friday.
"In the western part of Artyomovsk, assault units have continued fighting to take control of city blocks. Units of the Airborne Forces are supporting them and are suppressing attempts by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to attack on the flanks," Konashenkov said.
"Military aircraft performed nine missions and artillery of the group of forces accomplished 64 fire tasks in the Artyomovsk area over the past day," he said.
"Strikes by tactical and army aircraft and artillery fire from the southern group of forces hit enemy units near the populated localities of Chasov Yar and Bogdanovka in the Donetsk People's Republic," Konashenkov said.