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As reported by top officials on Monday, Ukrainian forces have successfully recaptured two key villages in the east.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi described the retrieval of the villages as a significant development, allowing Ukrainian forces to breach Russian defense lines near the city of Bakhmut. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the recapture of Klishchiivka on the southern flank of Bakhmut shortly after declaring the takeover of nearby Andriivka.

Strategically positioned on higher grounds, these villages were vital in Russia’s defense line extending from Bakhmut to Horlivka, a town approximately 30 miles from Bakhmut. General Syrskyi said, “As a result of our troops’ successful actions, the enemy’s defensive line – which it tried to close by throwing all available reserves into battle – was breached.”

Despite this development, Russia still controls large territories in Ukraine’s eastern and southern regions.

This comes as Ukraine initiated a counteroffensive intending to reclaim the annexed regions in early June, reporting moderate yet consistent success against well-fortified Russian positions. The gradual recapture operation, involving several villages but no substantial settlements, has been defended by Zelensky and other officials against Western criticism regarding its pace and alleged strategic faults.