Taking advantage of internal hostilities in Russia, Ukrainian troops on Saturday launched a simultaneous counteroffensive in several directions, Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Hanna Malyar reported, reports CNN.

Ukrainian military in Makarivka, on the Donetsk frontPhoto: AA/ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia

“The Eastern Group of Forces today launched an offensive in several directions at the same time,” Malyar said in a Telegram post, naming several cities and towns, including Bakhmut and Yagidne, among the locations where the attacks were carried out.

The painter said that “progress is being recorded in all directions,” without providing other details.

She noted that heavy fighting is taking place in the south of the country, adding that Russian troops “are on the defensive, making great efforts to stop our offensive actions.”