Journalists were given access to the newly liberated Ukrainian village of Neskuchne on June 13, confirming that Kyiv's forces have made modest gains in the early phase of their counteroffensive against Moscow's forces.
Ukrainian Flag Flies Over Village Liberated In Counteroffensive
The Ukrainian national flag is seen above the rubble of a destroyed home in the newly liberated village of Neskuchne in the Donetsk region on June 13.
Journalists were permitted entry to the village to show that Kyiv's forces have made gains in their counteroffensive against Russian forces.
A Ukrainian service member walks near the body of a Russian soldier.
Ukraine says it has liberated seven settlements in the south and eastern regions of the country and made further advances in Bakhmut amid heavy fighting.
Nearly every home in the village, which had a population of several hundred before the invasion, had been damaged.
A Ukrainian soldier stands near the body of another Russian soldier. Reuters saw at least three dead Russian soldiers lying in the street.
Ukrainian soldiers ride a BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle near a destroyed car in the village.
Tank tread lies on the ground near where Ukrainian soldiers placed their national flag atop a damaged home.
The shattered village of Neskuchne lies roughly 90 kilometers southwest of the city of Donetsk, one of several axes where Kyiv is trying to break through Russian lines.
A Ukrainian soldier advances away from the liberated village as artillery fire rings out in the distance.
Russia has not acknowledged any Ukrainian gains, and President Vladimir Putin said on June 13 that for now he saw no need for a new mobilization of fighting men to confront the Ukrainian counteroffensive launched last week.