The Ukrainian military said Thursday it had recaptured more than 20 towns and villages in the northeastern Kharkiv region as part of a counter-offensive against Russian forces.

Ukrainian forces "have penetrated 50 kilometers beyond the enemy lines. During active operations in the Kharkiv area, more than 20 settlements have been liberated," said Oleksiy Gromov, a senior official in the Ukrainian armed forces.

Gromov added that Ukraine had also recaptured several settlements in southern Ukraine and made gains in the eastern Donbas region, including around Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.

There has been no response yet from the Russian side.