Ukrainian forces advance 'slowly but surely' at front -official

FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian armed forces members gather during an operation, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in a location given as near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine in this screengrab taken from a video released June 25, 2023. 3rd assault brigade/Ukrainian Armed Forces Press Service/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

(Reuters) - Ukrainian forces are advancing "slowly but surely" on the front lines in the east and southeast of the country as well as around the longstanding flashpoint of Bakhmut, senior military officials said on Wednesday.

Since launching an anticipated counter-offensive this month, nearly 16 months into the war, Ukraine says it has reasserted control over clusters of villages in the southeast.