Russia claims to have halted a major Ukrainian offensive
Russian forces have halted a major Ukrainian offensive in the south of the Donetsk region, claims the Russian Defense Ministry.
In a statement reported by Reuters, it said that Ukraine launched the offensive on Sunday with six mechanized infantry battalions and two tank battalions.
– The enemy’s goal was to break through our defense lines in what they believe are the front’s most vulnerable sectors. The enemy did not achieve its goals, it had no success, the Russian statement said.
Furthermore, it is said that 250 Ukrainian soldiers were killed, and that 16 tanks, 21 armored vehicles and several armored personnel carriers were destroyed. Russia’s defense chief Valery Gerasimov was in the area where Ukraine attacked, it says.
Reuters has not been able to verify the claims.
Ukrainian authorities have said several times that a long-awaited counter-offensive is on the way. By Saturday at the latest, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said they were ready. It is unclear whether the alleged clashes on Sunday are the start of the counter-offensive.
The information has not been confirmed by independent sources.
(NTB)
2023-06-04 22:51:12
#Russia #claims #halted #major #Ukrainian #offensive
