A Ukrainian soldier shoots from his place, amid Russia’s assault on Ukraine, in a location given as close to Bakhmut, Donetsk Region, Ukraine, on this screengrab obtained from a video launched September 2, 2023. third Assault Brigade/Ukrainian Armed Forces Press Service/ through REUTERS Acquire Licensing Rights
KYIV, Sept 4 (Reuters) – Ukraine mentioned on Monday its troops had regained more territory on the jap front and have been advancing south of their counteroffensive in opposition to Russian forces whereas President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited two front-line areas.
Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar mentioned Kyiv’s forces had retaken about 3 sq. km (1.16 sq. miles) of land prior to now week across the jap metropolis of Bakhmut, which was captured by Russian troops in May after months of heavy preventing.
She additionally reported unspecified “success” within the course of the villages Novodanylivka and Novoprokopivka within the southern area of Zaporizhzhia, however gave no particulars.
Ukraine has now taken again about 47 sq. km of territory round Bakhmut since beginning its counteroffensive in early June, Maliar wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
Reuters was not capable of confirm the stories and Russia has not confirmed the Ukrainian advances. Both sides have counted features of tiny villages or pockets land as current successes.
Videos posted on the Ukrainian presidential web site on Monday confirmed Zelenskiy visiting troops within the jap Donetsk area, the place Bakhmut is situated, and in Zaporizhzhia area, the place Kyiv’s forces are attempting to push southward to the Sea of Azov.
Zelenskiy was proven presenting medals to troopers at a variety of websites and providing due to medics at a discipline hospital on the southern front.
In his nightly deal with, delivered from a practice, the president mentioned the troopers’ suggestions on the course of the battle can be taken critically.
“Everything that our fighters talked about will be put to participants in meetings of the command, especially regarding electronic warfare. Guys, we heard you clearly”, he mentioned.
Kyiv officers have bristled at criticism in Western media stories that the counteroffensive has been too sluggish and hindered by poor ways — significantly positioning troops in too many places.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba mentioned final week that critics ought to “shut up”.
Kyiv has retaken a variety of villages and settlements in its three-month-old offensive however its troopers have been hampered by huge Russian minefields and trenches.
Maliar mentioned final week that Ukrainian troops had damaged by way of the primary line of Russian defences, and Ukraine’s navy expects now to advance more quickly.
Moscow has continued to hold out air strikes on Ukrainian targets together with port infrastructure, and has reported drone assaults on Russian territory.
A Russian Defence Ministry account on Telegram on Monday quoted an officer with the code identify Hedgehog as saying: “The enemy is attacking in a strong and serious fashion, but we are standing firm. We will not let them through.”
Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Timothy Heritage, Ron Popeski and Cynthia Osterman
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.