Zelenskyy: Some people believe this [counteroffensive] is a Hollywood movie and expect results now. It's not

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells BBC that battlefield progress has been "slower than desired" but offensive is not a movie.

Zelenskyy said the military push was not going easily because 200,000 sq km of Ukrainian territory had been mined by Russian forces.

"Whatever some might want, including attempts to pressure us, with all due respect, we will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best," Zelenskyy added.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has reported that Ukrainian troops have advanced in the Melitopol and Berdiansk directions.

In the Lyman and Bakhmut directions, Ukrainian forces are in defence. Heavy fighting continues in the Lyman direction in the areas of Yampolivka and Serebrianske Forestry.