NATO chief states Ukraine is "gradually gaining ground" in counteroffensive

CNN reports.

Speaking to members of the European Parliament NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the NATO allies' backing contributed to the start of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, which is currently showing signs of success.

"The Ukrainians are gradually gaining ground. This is heavy fighting, difficult fighting but they have been able to breach the defensive lines of the Russian forces. And they are moving forward," he said.

Stoltenberg voiced his comments after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week tweeted: "No matter what anyone says, we are advancing, and that is the most important thing. We are on the move."

Ukraine’s officials are cautious but positive that it could be easier to breach the second line of Russian defense on the southern front than the first.

• On September 6, ISW confirmed that Ukrainian troops advance in Zaporizhzhia region near the village of Verbove

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