Ukraine's Counteroffensive Makes Small Gains Against Russian Forces

Ukrainian officials claim to have retaken approximately 40 square miles of territory from Russian occupying forces in their counteroffensive, which is advancing gradually but surely. However, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar cautioned that Ukrainian forces were on the defensive elsewhere along the front. Moscow claims to have inflicted heavy losses on Ukraine's military across the front line in the country's south and east. The beginning of the attack could not be delayed, as Kyiv wants to register major battlefield gains this summer and fall, before the harsh winter sets in. Support for Ukraine going forward will be the focus of a NATO leaders' summit next month in Vilnius, Lithuania.