Ukraine claims to retake Donetsk region villages in 'first results' of counter-offensive
Ukrainian troops have reportedly made territorial advances, liberating three villages in its southeast region in the process.
These reported victories would be the first liberated settlements since Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed his country's counter-offensive against Russian forces is under way.
Unverified footage has been posted across social media showing Kyiv's forces in the Donetsk region hoisting the Ukrainian flag in a building in the village of Blahodatne and posing with their unit's flag in the neighbouring village of Neskuchne.
A spokesperson for Ukraine's 'Tavria' military sector, said on television: "We're seeing the first results of the counter-offensive actions, localized results."
Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar later said Ukrainian forces had "deoccupied" Makarivka, the next village to the south, and advanced between 300 and 1,500 metres in two directions on the southern front.
"No positions were lost on the directions where our forces are on the defensive," Maliar added on Telegram.
Russia has yet to confirm the fall of any of the villages, instead, they have only spoken of repelling Ukrainian assaults in the region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said that a Ukrainian military push was under way, but that it had failed to breach Russian defensive lines and taken heavy casualties.
Watch: Footage on social media appears to show a Ukrainian flag being raised in Neskuchne, Donetsk Oblast, after its reported liberation.
After last week's announcement of the counter-offensive President Zelensky has not offered further information about the current stage of the process but indicated that his military commanders are in a positive mood.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) reported on Friday that "significant" Ukrainian operations have taken place in several regions of eastern and southern Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces "likely made good progress" and penetrated the first line of Russian defences, the MOD said.
In other areas, however, it said Ukrainian progress has been slower, according to the MOD intelligence update.
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