Kyiv, Ukraine (AFP) — Kyiv said on Monday its forces had recaptured clutches of land in south and east Ukraine, and fought their way into a village in the Donetsk region last week.

Kyiv launched a counter-offensive against entrenched Russian positions in June but progress has been limited, spurring political debate in the West over support for Kyiv.

Deputy Defense Minister Ganna Malyar said Ukrainian forces had pushed back around the war-battered city of Bakhmut in the east, which was captured by Russia in May.

"Around two square kilometers were liberated in this sector throughout the week. In total, 49 square kilometers have already been captured near Bakhmut" since the counter-offensive began, she said.

Further south, Ukraine's forces had battled their way into the village part of Opytne near the larger hub of Avdiivka, Malyar told state media.

Ukraine has committed the bulk of its resources to fighting along its southern front, where the military has punctured Russia's first line of defense and captured several villages.