Ukraine claims to have liberated two frontline villages in Donetsk

Soldiers filmed raising Ukrainian flag and banner in villages, a week after launch of counteroffensive

• Russia-Ukraine war: latest news updates

Ukraine’s armed forces have claimed to have liberated two frontline villages in western Donetsk, almost a week after the launch of counteroffensive operations.

Soldiers were shown in video footage raising of the Ukrainian flag over the village of Blahodatne, south of the town of Velyka Novosilka, one of main axes of the counteroffensive so far. Troops from another brigade filmed themselves with their unit’s banner in Neskuchne.