 Ukrainian troops were seen on the road towards Chasevjahr on June 9, close to the devastated city of Bakhmut. Troops riding on the top of armored vehicles raised their arms as they passed by damaged buildings and anti-tank spikes laid across fields. Almost all the residents of Chasevjahr had left after months of intense shelling. One of the few people remaining, Eduard Kaminsky, said he told Ukrainian soldiers if you go, we will go with you, as he cooked over an open fire in his yard. Ukraine has reported gains around Bakhmut, which Russia captured in May after nearly a year of the deadliest ground combat in Europe since World War II. Serhi Cherevity, spokesperson for Ukraine's East Military Command, said Ukrainian forces had advanced 1.2 kilometers near Bakhmut over the past 24 hours.