Russia and Ukraine differed in their accounts of the latest battles since Kyiv launched a counteroffensive early last month, but both sides signalled that fighting was fierce.
"The situation is complicated but under control (in the east)," Syrskyi said on the Telegram messaging app.
But Russia still holds vast swathes of territory following its full-scale invasion in February 2022, and Ukrainian troops have encountered heavily defended positions and minefields.
Russian troops were also continuing to send reserves to the Bakhmut sector in eastern Ukraine to try to stop Ukrainian forces advancing, Syrskyi said.
The spokesperson reported heavy fighting for the settlement of Staromayorske southwest of the city of Donetsk, and said Ukrainian troops had the advantage there.
Persons:
Read, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Syrskyi, Lyman, Hanna Maliar, Vladimir Putin, Anna Pruchnicka, Timothy Heritage, Bernadette Baum
Organizations:
420th Battalion, Kyiv, TASS, Reuters, Lyman, Thomson
Locations:
Ukraine, Bakhmut, Donetsk Region, Ukrainian, KYIV, Moscow, Kupiansk, Russia, Kharkiv, Lyman, Staromayorske, Donetsk