REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko/File PhotoSummary Ukraine says its troops push back Russians in southeastMines hampering advancesCounteroffensive making slower-than-hoped progressKYIV, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Ukraine on Monday reported fierce fighting along its entire front line and "some success" in pushing back Moscow's troops in one part of the southeast where Ukrainian forces are trying to retake Russian-occupied territory. Progress has been hampered by widespread Russian-laid minefields and strong fortifications, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said. But the Ukrainian military had pushed forward around the village of Staromaiorske, around 60 miles southwest of Russian-held Donetsk, and was pressing on two fronts in the south, Maliar said. She also said Russian troops were continuing their assault around the eastern towns of Kupyansk and Lyman, where she said they were regrouping. "The Russians have intensified these offensives after success of the Ukrainian army on Bakhmut axis," Maliar said.

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Persons: Lyubov Tolchina, Vitaly, Alexander Ermochenko, Hanna Maliar, Maliar, Dan Peleschuk, Angus MacSwan Organizations: REUTERS, Monday, Troops, Kyiv, Armed Forces, Ukrainian, Thomson Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Donetsk, Russian, Mines, Staromaiorske, Urozhaine, Moscow, Ukraine's, Kyiv, Bakhmut, Ukrainian, Kupyansk, Crimea, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson