Ukraine says it advances as much as a kilometre in places near Bakhmut

Ukraine advanced from 200 to 1,100 metres on parts of the front around the devastated eastern city of Bakhmut in the last 24 hours, Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said. "Our troops have switched from being on the defensive to being on the offensive in the direction of Bakhmut," she said on the Telegram messenger.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the situation on the battlefield.