Russia says it thwarted major Ukrainian offensive

Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had thwarted a major Ukrainian military offensive in Donetsk, claiming it had killed 250 soldiers and destroyed armored vehicles.

The video, which Russia claims is a battle, shows military vehicles under heavy artillery fire in a field.

There was no comment from Kiev, however, and Russia’s claims have not been independently verified.

A Ukrainian counterattack has been long awaited, but Kiev said it would not give advance warning of its launch.

And it is unclear whether the alleged attacks indicate that a new effort to retake Ukrainian lands from Russian forces has begun in earnest.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said Ukraine launched a “massive offensive” in the Donetsk region on Sunday with six mechanized battalions and two tank battalions.

The newspaper claimed that Ukrainian forces had “failed to accomplish their mission and were unsuccessful” in attempting to break through Russian defenses in what Kiev considered the most vulnerable part of the front line.

Moscow claimed that Ukraine lost 250 soldiers and 16 tanks.

Ukraine has been planning a counterattack for months. But China wanted as much time as possible to train its armed forces and receive military equipment from its Western allies.

Kiev officials have cautioned against public speculation about the attack, saying it could help their enemies.

“The plan prefers silence. No announcement about launch,” the defense ministry said in a video posted to Telegram on Sunday.

Footage showed a well-armed soldier in a mask holding his finger to his lips.

Much is at stake as the Kiev government needs to show the Ukrainian people and its Western allies that it can break through Russian lines, end the de facto military stalemate, and recapture some of its sovereign territory. are doing.

On Monday morning, Ukrainian Ground Forces Commander Oleksandr Shirskyi said troops were “advancing” towards Bakhmut, destroying Russian positions near the city.

The claim was made by the Freedom of Russia Legion (FRL), which explained that the statement was a joint statement with the Russian Volunteer Army (RDK).

Both groups want to overthrow President Vladimir Putin. They oppose the full-scale invasion of Ukraine he launched last February.

Belgorod’s top official, Vyacheslav Gladkov, replied that he had agreed to meet with the soldiers if they were still alive. But the fighters later said they would hand over the prisoners to Ukraine because the governor “didn’t have the courage” to meet them.

Russia has accused Ukraine of recent border attacks, but Kiev denies direct involvement.

Belgorod authorities said an energy plant was set ablaze following a drone strike on Monday morning.

Also in Russia’s Kaluga region, which borders the southern district near Moscow, two drones have landed on a highway, Governor Vladislav Shapsha said. Shapsha said there were no explosions and the area is currently on lockdown.

There has been no independent confirmation of either attack, but the Moscow government has said the Belgorod region has been a regular target for drone attacks from Ukraine.