Ukraine reports gains in counteroffensive despite ‘powerful resistance’

Kyiv reports progress in its newly launched counteroffensive, despite strong resistance from Russian troops.

“There is a gradual but steady advance of the armed forces,” Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Ganna Malyar tells a briefing.

“At the same time, the enemy is putting up powerful resistance” on the southern front, she says, referring to mined fields, kamikaze drones, and intense shelling.

After months of building expectations Ukraine early this month launched its offensive in the south and in the east.

Around the frontline hotspot of Bakhmut, “the enemy is pulling up additional reserves and is trying with all its might to prevent the advance of Ukrainian forces.”

Still, Malyar reported an advance of more than three kilometers (1.8 miles) in the area of Bakhmut.

Ukrainian forces have recaptured seven settlements and more than 100 square kilometers of territory, says Oleksiy Gromov of the Ukrainian armed forces’ general staff.

Russia claims to have repelled all Ukrainian assaults.