News Feed

UK Defense Ministry: Ukraine refining tactics in first weeks of counteroffensive for deeper assaults

1 min read
UK Defense Ministry: Ukraine refining tactics in first weeks of counteroffensive for deeper assaults
Ukrainian artillerymen fire a M777 howitzer toward Russian positions near Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast on June 23, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by GENYA SAVILOV/AFP via Getty Images)

Ukrainian forces have refined tactics in the first two weeks of their counteroffensive in preparation for deeper assaults into Russian-held positions, the U.K. Defense Ministry said on June 25.

In its intelligence bulletin, the Defense Ministry said that Ukraine is making "gradual but steady tactical progress in key areas," and that the counteroffensive's major operations are unfolding in three axes in the southern and eastern areas.

Ukrainian authorities have confirmed progress in the country's south and east.

Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported on June 24 that Ukrainian forces advanced in "all directions," starting from the Bakhmut area in Donetsk Oblast to the Vasylivka area in the western part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Valeriy Shershen, a spokesperson of the Ukrainian military fighting in the country's southeast, also reported on June 24 that some positions held by Russian forces since 2014 were liberated.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's ground forces, told the Guardian that Ukraine's main forces have not been engaged in fighting yet.

Ukraine war latest: Kyiv reports new gains in the south, Prigozhin accuses Russian army of attacking Wagner
Check out our LIVE UPDATES on the Wagner Group’s armed rebellion in Russia. Key Developments on June 23: * General Staff reports advances along southern front line * Prigozhin accuses Russian army of attacking Wagner, threatens to respond * Council of Europe approves new sanctions package again…
Article image
Avatar
Asami Terajima

Reporter

Asami Terajima is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent covering Ukrainian military issues, front-line developments, and politics. She is the co-author of the weekly War Notes newsletter. She previously worked as a business reporter for the Kyiv Post focusing on international trade, infrastructure, investment, and energy. Originally from Japan, Terajima moved to Ukraine during childhood and completed her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in the U.S. She is the winner of the Thomson Reuters Foundation's Kurt Schork Award in International Journalism 2023 (Local Reporter category) and the George Weidenfeld Prize, awarded as part of Germany's Axel Springer Prize 2023. She was also featured in the Media Development Foundation’s “25 under 25: Young and Bold” 2023 list of emerging media makers in Ukraine.

Read more
News Feed
Show More