Ukrainian forces retake one more village in Donetsk region – defense official

Ukraine's defense forces have liberated the village of Makarivka in the Donetsk region from Russian invaders, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar has said.

"The settlements of Blahodatne and Makarivka have been de-occupied," she said in a post on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

In the Bakhmut area, Ukrainian troops are continuing to conduct assault actions, Maliar said. "There are gains in the area of the Berkhivka reservoir. We advanced by 250 meters," she said.

In the south, according to Maliar, Ukrainian forces advanced in two sectors by 300 to 1,500 meters.

"Not a single position has been lost in the areas where our troops are on the defensive," Maliar added.

Earlier reports said that Ukraine's defense forces had recaptured the villages of Blahodatne and Neskuchne in the Donetsk region.