Ukraine’s counteroffensive is progressing more slowly than expected, but Kyiv forces still have the initiative, a military expert told Sky News.

Philip Ingram, a former British military intelligence and security officer, said Ukrainian forces may have advanced one kilometer towards Bakhmut in the east.

In May, the head of the “Wagner” PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said that his mercenaries had finally captured the city after nine months of fierce fighting.

One kilometer may not seem like much, but Ingram said it took Wagner many months to complete seven kilometers.

He added that now the front line has stretched for about 600 km.

“It’s still early, the Ukrainians took the initiative, it’s still working, but it’s going slower than expected,” he said.

Ingram added that the Russians had nine months to build complex and interconnected layers of defenses, complete with mines and anti-tank ditches.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports on the escalation on the front line in Bakhmut, the advance on the southern flank

The situation on the battlefield “escalated again” in the Bakhmut area, when both camps tried to seize the initiative, Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Malyar said, Kyiv Independent reports.

According to Malyar, Ukrainian troops are advancing on the southern flank of the city, in the area of ​​Klishchiivka village.

“However, the situation is changing very quickly. Control over the same positions can be lost and regained twice a day,” the official added.

According to Malyar, Russian troops are promptly responding to Ukraine’s actions, establishing “three lines of defense in threatening directions.”

Around June 24, Ukrainian troops began offensive operations in the Bakhmut direction, gradually advancing on the southern and northern flanks.