'Ukrainian counteroffensive has erupted'
The Ukrainian army's long-awaited counteroffensive erupted in earnest last night. So say four sources in the army to
The Washington Post. The offensive began with heavy shelling of Russian positions along the front line. A soldier stationed in Zaporizhzhya province spoke of "continuous heavy fighting". Russian military bloggers also reported heavy Ukrainian shelling and subsequent ground attacks last night. For now, the main Ukrainian offensive seems to be coming in Zaporizhzhya province, from Orichiv towards Tokmak. There, the Ukrainians have deployed Leopard 2 tanks, indicating their interest in this offensive.
Tokmak and further south, Melitopol had long been seen as very likely targets for a Ukrainian counteroffensive. If Kiev can capture those places and manage to reach the Black Sea coast, the Russian-occupied territory will be split in two. That will make supplying Russian units on the front significantly more difficult. 'It is very tough on the battlefield,' the Ukrainian soldier told The Washington Post. 'Our artillery and air force are deployed, but so are those of the Russians. It is difficult for us and for them. Our forces are advancing, but not as fast as we would have liked.' Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maljar writes on Telegram that the Russians have been forced onto the defensive near Orichiv. She also reports fighting in eastern Donetsk province, near Velyka Novosilka. Russian authorities say that all Ukrainian offensives in Zaporizhzhya have been repulsed, and the Ukrainians have suffered heavy losses. However, in previous successful Ukrainian offensives, similar reports came from Moscow, which later proved false.