Ukraine’s armed forces have halted a Russian attack on the eastern cities of Kupyansk and Liman and are advancing south, the country’s deputy defense minister said today.

“We had very heavy fighting in the direction of Kupyansk and Liman, but our soldiers stopped the enemy there,” Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hana Maliar told Ukrainian television.

Ukraine is in the early stages of its most ambitious counter-offensive since Russia invaded the country in February 2022 and says it has recaptured eight villages, its first real gains on the battlefield in seven months.

However, Russia holds large swaths of territory in eastern and southern Ukraine, and Ukrainian forces have yet to turn on key defense lines, which Russia has had months to prepare.

“Indeed, we still have the main events before us. And the main blow hasn’t been done yet. Indeed, some of the reserves — these are things that happen gradually — will be activated later,” Maliar said.

She said Russian forces continue to aim to control the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine’s military operation in the south is going according to plan and its forces are advancing, even if the minefields are holding them back, he said.

“In the military, according to their reports and positions, everything is going according to plan. We don’t necessarily expect the attack to be something that happens very quickly,” Maliar said.

“Every day we advance, every day. Yes, it is gradual but our forces are consolidating their presence on this border and they are moving steadily forward.”

Reuters was unable to independently ascertain the situation on the battlefield.

Two dead in Kherson

At least two people were killed today in a Russian attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, the regional governor said.

Governor Oleksandr Prokhudin said in an initial post on the Telegram app that a municipal transport company was affected in the attack. A 55-year-old man was killed on the spot and five others were taken to hospital, he said. In a subsequent post, he said that a 43-year-old man also succumbed to his injuries in hospital.