Ukraine's defense ministry says its troops have liberated a total of seven villages in the eastern and southern parts of the country.

Ukrainian deputy defense minister Hanna Maliar said on social media that her country's troops have retaken from Russia's forces villages located in an area that is about 90 square kilometers in size. The liberated villages include the western Donetsk village of Makarivka and the western settlement of Novodarivka in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Ukraine also says its forces are making advances around the Donetsk stronghold of Bakhmut. It claims the forces have retaken some territory. Last month, Russia declared that it had taken control of the city.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed confidence in an address on Monday. He said, "The strength of our warriors still yields results."

But Russia's defense ministry argues that its troops have fought off Ukraine's forces in various locations. In Russia, it is being reported that battles continue to rage in Makarivka.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's air force said on Tuesday that Russia had launched attacks using 14 cruise missiles. It also announced that one of the missiles struck housing complexes in eastern Ukraine's Kryvyi Rih, which is Zelenskyy's hometown.

The authorities say the attack left at least six people dead and 25 others injured.