Ukrainian Armed Forces seized initiative in Bakhmut sector and advanced by 1300 meters in Berdiansk sector 

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported this on June 29. 

The defense forces near Bahmut have seized operational initiative, and there is progress

Active fighting continues on the outskirts of Bakhmut, with Ukrainian troops putting pressure on the Russians, forcing them to retreat from their positions.

In the Bakhmut sector, Ukrainian troops seized the strategic initiative and are conducting offensive operations on a broad front. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are fortifying the front lines they have reached. The enemy is showing unstoppable resistance, and heavy fighting continues.

"Partial success was achieved on the Rivnopol-Volodyne direction, where we are consolidating our positions on the achieved boundaries, inflicting artillery fire on identified enemy targets and engaging in counter-battery warfare," the statement reads.

In contrast, the Russian occupiers are putting up "fierce" resistance and suffering significant losses in personnel, weaponry, and equipment.

In the Klishchiivka direction, Ukrainian military forces have advanced a total of 1200 meters, while in the Kurdiumivka direction, they have advanced 1500 meters.

In Berdiansk sector, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have advanced by 1300 meters

According to Hanna Maliar, the defense forces continue their offensive operation in Melitopol and Berdiansk sectors. Specifically, on the Berdiansk sector, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have advanced by 1300 meters.

"The enemy is deploying all their reserves for defense, including a marine infantry brigade that once fled from Kherson," Maliar noted. 

What we know about the Ukrainian counteroffensive

On June 11, the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced the liberation of Blahodatne, Neskuchne, and Makarivka settlements, near the border of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. On the morning of June 12, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said that the Ukrainian state flag was raised again over Storozhove, Donetsk region.

On June 24, the Ukrainian Defense Forces officially confirmed the liberation of the territories near Krasnohorivka in the Donetsk region, which had been under occupation since 2014.

On June 26, Hanna Maliar reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have advanced 1 to 2 kilometers on the eastern frontline over the course of the week. During the offensive in the southern direction, the Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated 130 square kilometers. On the same day, Ukrainian troops recaptured the village of Rivnopil, Donetsk region. It is located in the Volnovakha district of the Donetsk region. 

UK’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace stated that Ukraine has already liberated more territory as part of the summer counteroffensive campaign than Russia had captured during the entire winter offensive.

But Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov stated that the already liberated settlements were not the "main event" but rather the prelude to a major counteroffensive.