Ukraine has liberated the villages of Makarivka and Blahodatne in the southeastern Donetsk region, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar told Telegram, possibly marking the country’s first success in its long-awaited counteroffensive. The Washington Post could not confirm whether Russian troops remain in any of the areas. Ukrainian forces continued their attacks around the town of Bakhmut and advanced slightly in a northern suburb, Maliar added.
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Analysis of our correspondents
Ukraine’s counteroffensive could determine the fate of the war: The long-awaited Ukrainian counter-offensive seems to be underway, writes Ishaan Tharoor. Operations are ongoing on at least three fronts: around the besieged city of Bakhmut, which Russia allegedly captured earlier; in the southeastern Donetsk region of the country; and parts of the Zaporizhia region, which is under Russian control.
Western weapons and firepower have bolstered Ukraine’s capabilities, but experts say fighting is likely to drag on. “The offensive will continue for weeks and likely months,” tweeted Michael Kofman, director of the Russia studies program at the Center for Naval Analyzes. He added that this cannot be judged by a few days of fighting.