Military: Ukraine advances up to 1 kilometer in Bakhmut direction

The Ukrainian army has advanced from 600 to 1,000 meters in the southern and northern directions around the strategic city of Bakhmut as of June 25, a spokesman for the Eastern Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Serhiy Cherevatyi reported.

“The defense forces keep the initiative, continue assault operations,” Cherevatyi said.

Over the day, the Ukrainian military managed to liquidate 186 Russian soldiers, wound 224, and take eight into captivity.

On June 24, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported that the Ukrainian army ‘advanced in all directions.’ The area where Ukraine advanced started from Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast to the Vasylivka area in the Russians-occupied western part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, she added.

According to the UK Defense Ministry, Ukraine is making "gradual but steady tactical progress in key areas.”

Counteroffensive underway: ‘We overestimated Russians and underestimated ourselves’
Editor’s Note: The Kyiv Independent introduces soldiers interviewed for the story by their first names or callsigns due to security reasons. DONETSK OBLAST – Islam’s mind was empty of thoughts and feelings as he crawled carefully towards the Russian trenches near Siversk, with grenades prepared. “…