Headline: Fierce Fighting Continues as Ukrainian Forces Make Small Gains in Counteroffensive Against Russia
Subheadline: Ukrainian soldiers push back Russian forces in eastern and southern Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine – Fierce fighting has been reported in multiple fronts in Ukraine as Ukrainian forces have made small gains over the past week in the eastern and southern regions. Ukrainian deputy defense minister, Hanna Malyar, stated that heavy fighting was taking place in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the cities of Lyman and Avdiivka in the Donetsk region, where Russian forces have been aggressively attacking. Malyar also mentioned that the number of attacks had intensified in the past week, but the Ukrainian troops were holding their ground and advancing towards Bakhmut.
According to Malyar, Ukrainian forces have retaken approximately 3.5 square miles in eastern Ukraine in the past week. However, these claims have not been independently verified, and the Russian Ministry of Defense has stated that their attempts to advance have been repelled. In southern Ukraine, Malyar reported that Ukrainian forces have recaptured an additional 10.9 square miles in the past week. She also mentioned that offensive actions were ongoing towards the cities of Berdiansk and Melitopol, which have long been occupied by Russian forces.
The situation on the battlefield over the weekend was described by Malyar as “quite complicated” and “hot everywhere.” The counteroffensive, which began last month, has been slow and difficult. However, military analysts suggest that it is still in its early stages, and Ukraine has yet to fully commit its forces.
Ukrainian officials, as well as the country’s Western allies who have provided support and training for the counteroffensive, have defended the pace of advances, stressing that the campaign will be long and costly. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the difficulties faced by the troops last week but emphasized that progress was being made.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have encountered strong resistance from Russian forces, resulting in mounting casualties and treacherous minefields. Though they have achieved mostly small gains, Ukrainian troops have managed to break through the first line of Russian defenses and reclaim several farming villages in the eastern Donetsk region and the southern Zaporizhzhia region.
In addition to the fighting in eastern Ukraine, intense combat is also taking place in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine. The Dnipro River, which has served as the front line for months, marks the conflict zone. Reports suggest that Ukraine is attempting to establish a foothold on the river’s eastern bank, while Russian forces continue to shell the city of Kherson and nearby towns across the river.
According to Natalia Humeniuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian military’s southern command, the fighting near the destroyed Antonovsky Bridge is aimed at neutralizing Russian firing positions and ensuring the safety of the civilian population. Russian forces have relentlessly shelled the region, with the city of Kherson alone being targeted 35 times in the past 24 hours, injuring six people, including a child.
The counteroffensive is far from over, and the future remains uncertain. However, Ukraine’s determination to push back Russian forces and reclaim its territory remains unwavering. As the fighting continues, the international community closely watches the events unfold and hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.