Ukraine regains ground in east as counteroffensive challenges stalemate narrative

Ukraine says its forces have retaken at least 125 square kilometres of territory near the eastern city of Lyman, following a largely unpublicised counteroffensive by the 3rd Army Corps. Independent analysts have estimated that more than 200 square kilometres may have been recaptured during the four-month operation, though official information remains limited. The area is strategically important because Lyman lies north of Kramatorsk and Slovyansk, the last major Donbas cities that Russia is seeking to capture. Ukraine’s advance could ease pressure on the cities by disrupting Russia’s attempt to encircle them from the north and south. While the gains do not amount to a major breakthrough, they challenge the perception that the front line has remained entirely static. Al Jazeera’s Rory Challands reports from Kyiv, Ukraine. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #Ukraine #Russia #UkraineWar #Lyman #3rdArmyCorps #AndriiBiletskyi #Donetsk #Donbas #Kramatorsk #Slovyansk #LymanSalient #UkrainianCounteroffensive #RussianRetreat