Ukraine Attacks Russian Defenses, Amid Rumors the Counteroffensive Has Begun.
On June 8, Ukrainian forces launched an assault on Russian-held positions in the south of Zaporizhzhia.
'The Guardian' reports that some officials in Ukraine have said that the intense fighting marked the beginning of Kyiv's anticipated counteroffensive.
Intense fighting, believed to include western- supplied tanks, armored vehicles, infantry and artillery, took place outside of the town of Tokmak.
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'The Guardian' reports that Ukrainian officials have previously said that an official announcement would not be made when the counteroffensive begins.
According to the Institute for the Study of War, , a U.S.-based thinktank closely following Russia's war against Ukraine, it is likely that the counteroffensive is underway.
Activity throughout Ukraine is consistent with a variety of indicators that Ukrainian counteroffensive operations are under way across the theater, Institute for the Study of War, via Twitter.
The news comes following days of heavy shelling against Russian defenses, with Ukrainian forces attempting to block routes to the Russian-held city of Melitopol.
The news comes following days of heavy shelling against Russian defenses, with Ukrainian forces attempting to block routes to the Russian-held city of Melitopol.
The city of Tokmak is a major Russian logistical hub that is both a major railway and the center of communications between Mauripol, Berdyansk and Crimea.
The city of Tokmak is a major Russian logistical hub that is both a major railway and the center of communications between Mauripol, Berdyansk and Crimea.
'The Guardian' reports that the counteroffensive has long been believed to be aimed at severing the Russian "land bridge" that links Crimea with occupied parts of the south and east.
'The Guardian' reports that the counteroffensive has long been believed to be aimed at severing the Russian "land bridge" that links Crimea with occupied parts of the south and east
