Ukraine recaptures some villages, but the armed forces face minefields and more airstrikes.

BLAHODATNE, Ukraine — After months of preparation and supported by hundreds of donated tanks, armored vehicles and howitzers, Ukraine has achieved small successes in the first week and a half of a counter-offensive to drive Russian troops out of southern Ukraine.

In fierce fighting on the plains, the army said it had broken through a first line of Russian defenses and recaptured seven villages.

The fruits of their labor were on display on Thursday during a visit by the Ukrainian military to one of those villages, Blahodatne, as well as the awe-inspiring challenges ahead.

Ukraine has yet to deploy most of its reserves, including troops trained in Europe over the winter and spring and equipped with weapons from NATO countries, meaning it can deploy even more force. But with every step forward, the soldiers become more vulnerable – removed from the safety of their own trenches, closer to the Russian artillery, maneuvering through minefields and unprotected from air raids.

Ukraine is engaged in two major attacks to the south, where it has broken deepest into a series of small villages including Blahodatne, where soldiers took cover on Thursday.

For Ukrainian soldiers of the 68th Scout Brigade entering the villages, the sweetness of the liberating land was tempered by the panorama of doom that greeted them and what came next: a relentless bombardment from Russian troops.

“They attack with missiles, howitzers, mortars, helicopters and drones,” said Sgt. Serhiy Gubanov said in an interview as he took cover in a basement as explosions rumbled outside.

“It’s the complete collection of intense experiences,” he said.

Maria Varenikova contributed reporting from Constantinople, Ukraine.