2:52 am ET, June 19, 2023
Deputy Defense Minister Says Ukraine Has Recaptured 8 Southern Settlements In Last 2 Weeks
From CNN’s Olga Voytovich in Kiev
Vladimir Shtango/Anatolu Agency/Getty Images
Ukraine’s military has recaptured eight settlements in the south of the country that have been invaded by Russian forces over the past two weeks, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malier said on Monday.
In a Telegram post, Maliar said offensive operations in the direction of Berdyansk and Melitopol liberated the communities of Novodarivka, Levatne, Storoshev, Makharivka, Blahotatne, Lobkov, Neskuchne and Piatikatki in the Zaporizhzhya region.
Piatikatki’s position has been controversial after the Russian government on Sunday denied a statement by the installed leader in occupied southern Ukraine, denying his claim that Kiev’s forces. Recaptured the village.
On Monday, Maliar said Ukrainian forces had advanced 7 kilometers (4 miles) into Russian-occupied territory in the southern Davria sector, capturing 113 square kilometers (44 square miles).
He praised the “professionalism and courage” of Ukrainian soldiers for their progress on the frontline.
“Last week, our troops were on offense and defense,” he said.
In eastern Ukraine, Maliar said Russian forces had carried out more than 5,800 attacks and used more than 277,000 rounds of ammunition in the past week. He said that Russian troops were very active against the Ukrainian advance near Pakmut and Lyman-Kubyansk, Avdiyvka and Marinka.
This post has been updated with additional context.
