Ukraine has reclaimed some 130 square kilometres (50 square miles) from Russian forces along the southern front line since the start of the counteroffensive, Ukraine’s deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar has said.
“The situation in the south has not undergone significant changes over the past week,” Maliar told the national broadcaster.
She added that along the eastern part of the front line, which includes the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Maryinka directions, about 250 combat clashes have taken place over the past week.
Russia defence minister visits troops after Wagner mutiny
Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu visited Russian troops involved in the military operation in Ukraine, the RIA Novosti news agency has reported, his first public appearance since the weekend mutiny by the Wagner paramilitary group.
RIA’s report, which cited Russia’s defence ministry, made it clear Shoigu remained in charge, but provided no details on when or where he met the troops and commanders of the Western military district.
‘All bets are off’: An uncertain future after Wagner mutiny
Mutineers led by Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin advanced on Moscow to remove what they called Russia’s corrupt and incompetent military leadership, before suddenly heading back to a Russia-held area of eastern Ukraine after a deal with the Kremlin brokered by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.
The deal included immunity for the mutineers in exchange for their return to camps, but it remains unclear whether Putin also agreed to reshuffle the top military leadership or make any other concessions.
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA
