Summary

  • Ukraine says it has liberated more settlements, after President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged on Saturday that Kyiv's long-awaited counter-offensive had begun

  • An army brigade has announced that it took back the village of Novodarivka in the Zaporizhzhia region on 4 June

  • Earlier on Monday, officials said "the national flag is once again waving" over Storozheve, in the Donetsk region

  • Three other settlements were claimed over the weekend, although they are all relatively small - and Moscow is yet to confirm any retreat

  • The Institute for the Study of War has backed up Kyiv's claims, saying Ukraine captured "multiple settlements" over the weekend

  • Ukraine has also claimed fresh advances of up to 700m (2,230 ft) in the direction of Bakhmut - an eastern city which has seen the longest and bloodiest battle of the war so far

  • Meanwhile, it's Russia's national day - and President Vladimir Putin has appealed for patriotism at what he called a "difficult time" for his nation

Live Reporting

Edited by James FitzGerald and Marita Moloney

  1. Villages liberated in Donetsk region, says Kyiv

    Watch: Video purports to show the liberation of Neskuchne in Donetsk Oblast

    On Saturday, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that his country’s much-anticipated counter-offensive against Russia had begun.

    Here are some of the latest developments:

    • Ukraine says it has liberated three villages in the south-east of the country
    • Footage on social media showed Ukrainian troops celebrating in the neighbouring settlements of Blahodatne and Neskuchne in the Donetsk region
    • Kyiv's deputy defence minister said nearby Makarivka was also taken
    • Moscow has yet to confirm the fall of any of the villages, instead speaking of repelling Ukrainian assaults in the region. The settlements themselves are also relatively small

    Read more on this story here.

    Two of the villages claimed by Ukraine - Neskuchne and Makarivka - are to the south-west of Donestsk city. Blahodatne is around 80 miles to the east, on the other side of Donetsk

    Two of the villages claimed by Ukraine - Neskuchne and Makarivka - are to the south-west of Donetsk city

  2. Ukraine claims first victories of counter-offensive

    James FitzGerald
    Live reporter

    Good morning and thanks for following our live coverage of the war in Ukraine.

    You join us after Ukraine announced the recapture of its first settlements since the president acknowledged that a long-promised counter-offensive was under way.

    Meanwhile, Ukraine has accused Russia of blowing up a small dam – following the breach of the major Kakhovka dam one week ago. Russia is yet to comment.

    With my colleagues Jack Burgess and Ece Goksedef, we’ll be letting you know the latest developments.