Ukraine is gaining ground in its counter offensive - NATO's Stoltenberg

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg shake hands at a press conference during a NATO leaders summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File photo

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Ukraine is making progress with a counter offensive started in June to reclaim territory seized by Russia, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday, even though it was slow going due to Russian fortifications and minefields.

"The Ukrainians are gradually gaining ground...They have been able to breach the defensive lines of the Russian forces, and they are moving forward," Stoltenberg told lawmakers in remarks at the European Parliament.