Ukrainian troops make early gains, reclaim seven villages from Russian forces.

Ukrainian troops have made early gains against "well-prepared" Russian forces in the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, according to a military briefing. The Ukrainian military said it had taken control of several villages and strategic heights in the Donetsk region, while Russian-backed separatists accused Ukraine of violating a ceasefire agreement. The conflict, which began in 2014, has claimed more than 13,000 lives and shows no signs of abating.