DONETSK, October 24. /TASS/. The Ukrainian military suffered heavy losses in its attempt to attack Russian positions on the southern flank of Artyomovsk (called Bakhmut in Ukraine), Yan Gagin, adviser to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), told TASS on Tuesday.

"Early in the morning, the enemy attempted to attack our positions on the southern flank of Artyomovsk. An assault force of at least 40 men tried to break through on armored vehicles. They were timely uncovered and shelled. The equipment was torched and the assault force was destroyed," the adviser said.

Russian troops also destroyed several Ukrainian strongholds north of Artyomovsk. The Ukrainian army’s casualties are being specified, he added.