Title: Ukraine Announces Advance Near Bakhmut

A spokesperson for the Ukrainian army, Serhiy Cherevaty, said on Friday that "Ukrainian forces advanced more than a kilometer in the previous day against Russian forces near the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine." He added, "Defense forces are still maintaining the initiative there, pressuring the enemy, conducting offensive operations, and advancing along the northern and southern fronts." He confirmed that they "specifically advanced more than a kilometer over the previous day." Kyiv claims to have regained control over a number of villages in the south since launching its counteroffensive, but fierce resistance and minefields have slowed the advance of its forces. Russia still controls large parts of eastern and southeastern Ukraine.