In a recent development, Ukrainian forces have reportedly liberated seven villages, encompassing approximately 35 square miles, from Russian control over the past week. This achievement marks a series of small victories in the initial phase of Kyiv's counteroffensive. Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar confirmed via Telegram that the Ukrainian flag once again flies over Storozhov, a village in the eastern Donetsk province. She also reported the recapture of three adjacent villages in Donetsk and three more in the neighboring Zaporizhzhia province.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the challenging nature of the ongoing battles, emphasizing the significance of the Ukrainian advancements. He highlighted the difficulties posed by the prevailing rainy weather conditions and mentioned ongoing discussions with military commanders regarding strategic reinforcements and further actions to weaken Russian positions.
Previous reports indicated Ukrainian forces had secured control over the Donetsk villages of Blahodatne, Makarivka, and Neskuchne, located south of Velyka Novosilka. The latest update adds Lobkove, Levadne, and Novodrivka in the Zaporizhzhia province to the list of reclaimed settlements. While these territorial gains are modest, they represent a crucial step into the first line of Russian defenses, potentially paving the way for a more substantial push into occupied territories. It is important to note that these gains are yet to be independently verified and could fluctuate given the dynamic nature of the conflict.
The ongoing conflict along the western edge of the extensive 600-mile front line has been further complicated by the recent dam breach, which caused widespread flooding along a section of the Dnieper River that divides the warring sides. Experts and officials have cautioned that the endeavor to liberate Ukraine from the entrenched and heavily armed Russian forces could be a protracted process, spanning years, with the ultimate success of the Ukrainian counteroffensive remaining uncertain. French President Emmanuel Macron recently stated that the counteroffensive, initiated several days ago, is anticipated to unfold over several weeks or even months.
Intense fighting continues in the Zaporizhzhia region, involving Russian artillery, mortars, and air power. The contested villages are situated in an area where the Russian front lines protrude into Ukrainian-held territory. This salient, while only about a mile deep, has emerged as a focal point of intense combat.
Ukraine has reported incremental gains in its counteroffensive against Russia, even as it grapples with the aftermath of the devastating dam breach and subsequent flooding in Kherson. (AP Photo)
The area under Russian control has significantly decreased since last year's successful Ukrainian counteroffensive, which resulted in the recapture of key cities like Kharkiv in the north and Kherson in the south. While President Zelenskyy confirmed ongoing counteroffensive and defensive actions, he refrained from specifying whether this constituted the long-anticipated full-scale counteroffensive, bolstered by significant Western military aid. Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, claimed the counteroffensive had commenced, asserting substantial losses on the Ukrainian side. Ukrainian forces have concentrated their efforts on the Zaporizhzhia region and an area near the ravaged city of Bakhmut in Donetsk, among other locations.
While Russian authorities maintain that their troops are largely holding their positions, some reports from Russian military bloggers acknowledge withdrawals from certain villages and ongoing Ukrainian advances. Despite reported heavy losses, Ukrainian forces are reportedly attempting to push forward, aiming to regain control of strategically important areas and highways.
In addition to the ongoing conflict, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported civilian casualties resulting from Russian shelling in the past 24 hours. Several towns and villages in Donetsk and Kharkiv were targeted, resulting in fatalities and injuries. Meanwhile, rescue and relocation efforts continue in the Kherson region following the devastating Kakhovka dam breach, as authorities grapple with the challenges of flooding and the risk of waterborne diseases.
