Today’s news / Ukraine – Bakhmut
A Ukrainian soldier prepares to launch a drone on the frontline near Bakhmut on Sunday. Photo: Libkos/Ritzau Scanpix

Ukraine – Bakhmut

Ukraine’s army has gained more ground in the area around the city of Bakhmut in the Russian-occupied Donetsk region, according to Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister on Monday. “Another three square kilometres have been liberated. In total, 43 square kilometres around Bakhmut have been liberated,” Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maljar told Ukrainian television. In June, Ukraine launched a counteroffensive against Russian forces. Among other areas, the offensive is concentrated on Bakhmut, which was once home to about 70,000 people. It was captured by Russian forces in June after months of bloody fighting. Maljar and other senior leaders have acknowledged that the offensive is not going quite as fast as they would have liked. /ritzau/AFP/