Ukraine has liberated 28.4 square kilometers in the south and 9 square kilometers in the east over the past week, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said on July 3.
In the south, the military is continuing successful offensive operations toward Melitopol and Berdiansk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, specifically in the directions of Novodarivka-Pryiutne, Novodanylivka-Robotyne, and Novosilka-Staromaiorske, Maliar wrote on Telegram.
The area liberated in Ukraine's south now amounts to 158.4 kilometers square total, the deputy minister reported.
Both offensive and defensive operations were reported on the eastern front line. Russian forces continue their advance toward Lyman, Avdiivka, and Mariinka, but the Ukrainian defense in these areas is putting up strong resistance, Maliar said.
Ukrainian troops are pushing forward in the Bakhmut direction, she added.
"Over the past week, as a result of improving the operational (tactical) position and aligning the front line, the liberated area was increased by 9 kilometers square," Maliar commented on the situation on the eastern part of the front.
The deputy minister also reported that the number of Russian strikes in the sector has increased twofold, counting 11,753 this week compared to 6,457 a week ago.
Maliar reported on Russian advances in the east on July 2, commenting that the situation there "is quite difficult," while simultaneously confirming Ukrainian advances in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
Asami Terajima
