First Victories of Counter-offensive: Kyiv Claims Villages Liberated in Donetsk Region

Mon Jun 12 2023
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KYIV, Ukraine: Two days after Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed his country’s much-anticipated counter-offensive against Russia had begun, Ukraine said it has liberated three villages in the south-east of the country.

Videos on social media showed Ukrainian troops celebrating in the neighbouring settlements of Neskuchne and Blahodatne in the Donetsk region. Kyiv’s deputy defence minister said nearby Makarivka was also taken.

On the other side, Moscow has yet to confirm the fall of any of the villages, instead it is speaking of repelling Ukrainian assaults in the region. The settlements themselves are also relatively small.

Two of the villages claimed by Ukraine – Makarivka and Neskuchne – are to the south-west of Donestsk city. Blahodatne is around 80 miles to the east, on the other side of Donetsk.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has accused Russia of blowing up a small dam – following the breach of the major Kakhovka dam one week ago. Russia is yet to comment on the issue. It said Russia has targeted another dam – this time in the Zaporizhzhia region.

A spokesperson for the Ukrainian military, Valeriy Shershen, said Moscow’s forces blew up the structure near the village of Novodarivka – leading to the flooding on both banks of the Mokri Yaly river. The BBC has not been able to verify the claim.

The spokesperson for the Ukrainian military said Russia was deliberately blowing up dams in the region to halt Ukraine’s advance towards occupied areas. Last Monday, the huge Kakhovka dam was breached, causing major flooding. NATO and Ukraine’s military accused Russia of being responsible, while Russia has blamed Ukraine. Thousands of people have been evacuated from low-lying areas either side of the river Dnipro.

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