Kyiv faces wave of attacks in the east -deputy defence minister

FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows the remains of Maryinka city that was destroyed by the Russians, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Maryinka, Donetsk Region, Ukraine May 12, 2023, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. Andriy Yermak via Telegram/via REUTERS/File Photo

(Reuters) - Ukrainian forces trying to press on with their three-month-old counteroffensive are facing new waves of Russian attacks on key frontline cities in the east, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said on Wednesday.

Ukraine's counteroffensive has focused on capturing clusters of villages in an advance southward to the Sea of Azov and retaking areas around the city of Bakhmut in the east, a town seized by Russian forces in May after months of battles.