Ukraine announced on Monday that its forces had retaken more territory on the eastern and southern fronts in a military counteroffensive launched in June against Russian forces, Reuters reported.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said that over the past week, Kyiv’s forces have retaken almost 2 square kilometers of territory around the eastern city of Bakhmut, which was captured by Russian forces in May after months of bloody fighting.

The painter told national television that Ukrainian troops captured part of the village of Opytne, south of the city of Avdiyivka, and achieved “partial success” near the village of Novomayorske in eastern Donetsk region.

“There were movements near Opytny; The (Ukrainian) defense forces seized a part of this settlement,” said Malyar.

“Partial success” was also announced near Andriyivka and Klishchiivka, a village south of Bakhmut believed to be important in securing control of the city.

According to Malyar, since the beginning of the three-month counteroffensive, Kyiv troops have liberated 49 square kilometers near Bakhmut.

Ukrainian troops are advancing south

In the south, where Ukrainian forces are trying to advance to the Sea of ​​Azov in a campaign aimed at dividing Russian forces, Malyar said Kyiv had withdrawn 1.5 square kilometers last week.

Malyar added that Ukrainian forces achieved success south of the villages of Robotyne and west of Verbovoy in the Zaporizhzhia region.

In its three-month offensive, Kyiv recaptured villages and towns, but its soldiers were hindered by huge minefields and Russian trenches.

The Reuters agency said it could not independently verify the Ukrainian information, and Russia did not confirm this information.