Zelenskiy's troops attack in apparent precursor to new surge

Ukrainian troops went on the attack at multiple points along the front line in the Donetsk region on Monday, driving back Russian forces in at least two areas in what appeared to be the preliminary stages of Ukraine’s long-anticipated counteroffensive.

- Julian Borger and Dan Sabbagh KYIV

Russia said on Tuesday it had thwarted another Ukrainian offensive in Donetsk, inflicting heavy losses.

In his nightly address, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hailed the advances made by Ukraine’s “warriors” after his government declared it had shifted to offensive operations in some sectors, with reports of intense close-quarter fighting in several locations. He also welcomed what he called “the news we have been waiting for” from Bakhmut, without giving further details.

“I am grateful to each soldier, to all our defenders, men and women, who have given us today the news we have been waiting for. Fine job, soldiers in the Bakhmut sector!” Zelenskiy said.

Foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba told Reuters on Monday that Ukraine has enough weapons to begin the counteroffensive operation. Ukrainian officials described Monday’s attacks as “local” actions, and rejected the Russian defence ministry’s claims early on Monday that the major counteroffensive had begun and had already been thwarted at high cost to the attackers.

On Tuesday, the Russian defence ministry claimed on Telegram that, “Having suffered heavy losses the day before, the Kiev regime reorganised the remnants of the 23rd and 31st mechanised brigades into separate consolidated units, which continued offensive operations.”

The statement said Russian forces had inflicted huge personnel losses on attacking Ukrainian forces and destroyed 28 tanks, including eight Leopard main battle tanks and 109 armoured vehicles. It said total Ukrainian losses amounted to 1,500 troops.