Ukrainian forces have recaptured nearly 18 square kilometers of territory in the east and south of the country over the past week during a counteroffensive against Russian forces, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on Monday, Reuters reported.

The progress brought the total territory conquered during the counteroffensive to more than 210 square kilometers, she reported on the Telegram channel.

On June 4, Ukraine launched a counteroffensive to recapture occupied territories and seize the initiative in Russia’s full-scale invasion, now in its 17th month.

Maliar said that over the past week, troops have retaken 7 square kilometers in the direction of Bakhmut in the east, a small town captured by Russian forces in May after the bloodiest fighting of the war. This brought the total captured area to 31 square kilometers.

In the south, where Ukrainian troops are trying to advance to the cities of Berdyansk and Melitopol, last week they recaptured almost 11 sq.

Malyar added that Russian troops have been advancing towards the city of Kupyansk in the east of Kharkiv region since the end of last week.

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