War in Ukraine: Slowly but surely, Kiev is stepping up its counteroffensive. Kremlin reports new attacks on Moscow
The Ukrainian counteroffensive is intensifying in the southeast. Slowly but surely, Kiev officials say, the army is liberating the occupied territories. New settlements have been liberated in the Donetsk region. Russia, on the other hand, says Ukraine launched a drone strike on the Moscow region overnight. The mayor of the Russian capital says the army shot down all the drones.
The Ukrainian army advances into the Donetsk region, where the town of Staromaiorsk in Donetsk has been liberated, and consolidates its positions.
"- The 35th Brigade, as well as the territorial defense battalion "Arii", fulfilling the task, liberated the village of Staromaiorske. Glory to Ukraine!"
Meanwhile, the Russians have been trying to regain lost ground in the Rivne and Makarivka areas, but without success, Kiev officials announce. The Ukrainian army is advancing south and north of Bahmut, while Kremlin troops are attacking near Klișceevka.
President Volodimir Zelensky visited several towns in the south of the country, right near the front line, where he met with the military and visited medical facilities. Zelensky even visited Odessa, the port city that has been under constant Russian attack for a week. He delivered a message congratulating doctors on their professional day from the Cathedral of the Transfiguration, damaged in a Russian attack the other day.
"I rewarded the best, but I am grateful to all of them - to each and every one of those who remain in our towns and villages, in the frontline areas, who work on the frontline, who really keep Ukraine alive," the Kiev leader said.
In Dnipro, Zelensky met with defence officials, including Chief of General Staff General Valery Zaluyiny, to whom he presented a gun engraved with his name for his birthday.
"We are looking for air defence systems to protect Odessa and the whole southern region. Thank you to all those who joined us in this action," said Volodimir Zelensky.
Russian forces shelled nine localities in the Sumi region, firing more than 80 shots of various types. They used mortars and artillery to target Belopolie. The Kremlin, on the other hand, accuses Kiev of new attacks on Moscow, saying all the drones were destroyed.
Explosions and a major fire have been reported in the occupied city of Shahtarsk. Several Russian Telegram channels report that an oil depot was consumed by flames after a Ukrainian rocket attack.
