Ukraine launches counter-offensive using Western tanks to force back Putin's ... trends now
Ukrainian forces stepped up their major offensive yesterday using Western tanks to pound Russia's frontline in the war-torn country.
In the heaviest fighting since Kyiv launched its bid to liberate occupied territories, Ukrainian artillery 'came in waves' according to Russian sources.
The sudden upsurge in military activity followed Ukrainian reconnaissance, or 'shaping' missions intended to identify weaknesses in Russian defences.
US officials also confirmed the engagements in the Zaporizhzhia region yesterday appeared to be the start of a main thrust.
The heavy fighting resulted in losses on both sides and US officials added the Russians had put up 'stiff resistance'.
Ukrainian soldiers fire the grenade launcher towards the Russian positions on the frontline near Kreminna, Luhansk region on Thursday
Ukrainian soldiers work during a combat operation on the frontline near Kreminna, Luhansk region yesterday
Unconfirmed footage on Russian social media platforms appeared to show German-made Leopard tanks being destroyed.
Last night, the Ukrainian government offered scant details about the long awaited counter-offensive.
Deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar confirmed fighting was taking place: 'Battles continue for Velyka Novosilka in the Novopavlovsk direction. In the Orikhiv area, the enemy is already on the defensive.'
But some Russian sources were sceptical of this claim, with Vladimir Romanov - a military blogger based in Crimea - said the clashes so far were only 'active probings' and Russian troops were 'well enough prepared' for the counter-offensive.
Russian blogger Zapiski Veterana (Notes of a Veteran) said: 'I think we can already talk about the beginning of Ukraine’s long-announced offensive.
'There hasn't been such movement on the front for a long time. The Ukrainians came in waves.'
The angle of the attacks suggested Ukraine's objective priority was to piece through Russia's defences to reach the cities of Tokmak, Melitopol and Berdyansk on the Black Sea coast and cut off the Crimean peninsula.
Veterana added: 'All their [Ukrainian] forces are being thrown forward. The enemy has managed to seize several heights but they did not manage a deep breakthrough.'
A third advance around the heavily bombarded settlement of Bakhmut also took place yesterday, with Ukrainian sources saying its troops had gained a mile of ground around the city.
Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu said in a
