Ukraine says its troops advance in east and south, make gains near Bakhmut

FILE PHOTO: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy delivers remarks after a meeting with Czech President Petr Pavel, at Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, July 6, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine said on Monday its troops were advancing in the east and south of the country, and signalled they were tightening the noose around Russian troops occupying the eastern city of Bakhmut.

Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said Kyiv's troops had taken back 10.2 square km (3.9 sq miles) of territory in the south and four sq km in the east in the past week of a counteroffensive against Russian forces.