Ukrainian forces have the initiative now – Zelenskyy

Ukrainian defenders have taken the initiative on the frontline and continue to advance, particularly on the Bakhmut axis.

“As for the counteroffensive, we are advancing. The initiative is currently in our hands. The advance is not fast, that’s a fact. Nevertheless, we are moving forward, not backward, like the Russians. So, I see this as a positive,” said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a joint press conference with the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, in Prague.

Read more: Ukraine’s counteroffensive operations: one great battle or a long-term campaign?

In particular, the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue their offensive actions on the Bakhmut axis, reported Andrii Kovalov, Spokesperson of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. North and south of Bakhmut, Ukrainian forces keep advancing and pushing Russian occupiers out of previously captured positions.

“Near Klishchiivka (the village in the Bakhmut district, the Donetsk region – ed.), Ukrainian forces have achieved partial success and now are consolidating the gained positions. Heavy fighting continues there,” said Kovalov.

He also added that Ukrainian defenders keep repelling enemy attacks on the Lyman, Avdiivka, and Mariinka axes. Heavy fighting continues in those areas.

In addition, Ukrainian defenders continue to successfully employ tactics to target Russian military facilities behind enemy lines. Earlier, on July 4, a large Russian ammunition depot with missiles for the BM-21 “Grad” MLRS was hit in the temporarily occupied Makiivka, the Donetsk region. According to Hanna Maliar, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, “the Ukrainian military “discovers” and destroys military depots and logistical hubs of Russian occupiers every day, and the lack of ammunition and fuel will eventually become fatal for them.”

As previously reported on June 26, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated the village of Rivnopil in the Donetsk region.