Ukrainian forces have seized back towns up to 22 miles east of Kyiv, British defence chiefs said on Friday.
They stressed that Russian troops, with “dwindling” morale, were being forced in some areas away from the capital.
In an intelligence briefing on Friday, the Ministry of Defence said: “Ukrainian counter-attacks, and Russian forces falling back on overextended supply lines, has allowed Ukraine to re-occupy towns and defensive positions up to 35 kilometres (22 miles) east of Kyiv.”
It added: “Ukrainian Forces are likely to continue to attempt to push Russian Forces back along the north-western axis from Kyiv towards Hostomel Airfield.”
Mr Putin’s lightning invasion plan failed, partly because Russian forces failed to properly seize and secure the airfield which would have allowed an air bridge to have been set up to prepare for a major attack on Kyiv to topple Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government.
The MoD analysis came after Ukrainian defence chiefs said on Thursday they had pushed back Russian troops near Kyiv by up to 44 miles. This could not be confirmed.
In London, the Ministry of Defence added: “In the south of Ukraine Russian Forces are still attempting to circumvent Mykolaiv as they look to drive west towards Odesa with their progress being slowed by logistic issues and Ukrainian resistance.”
In an earlier briefing, it also stressed that Ukrainian forces had launched strikes against “high value targets” in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, including a landing ship and ammunition storage depots at Berdyansk.
The MoD added: “It is likely that the Ukrainians will continue to target logistical assets in Russian-held areas. This will force the Russian military to prioritise the defence of their supply chain and deprive them of much needed resupply for forces.
“This will reduce Russia’s ability to conduct offensive operations, and further damage already dwindling morale.”
