Ukraine launches counter-offensive with Western tanks to push back Putin’s troops

Ukrainian forces staged their major offensive yesterday using Western tanks to hit Russia’s frontline in the war-torn country.

In the heaviest fighting since Kiev launched its attempt to liberate occupied territories, Ukrainian artillery came “in waves,” according to Russian sources.

The sudden increase in military activity followed Ukrainian reconnaissance or “shaping” missions designed to identify weaknesses in Russian defenses.

US officials also confirmed that fighting in the Zaporizhzhia region yesterday appeared to be the start of a main attack.

The heavy fighting resulted in losses on both sides and US officials added that the Russians had put up “stiff resistance.”

Ukrainian soldiers work on the frontline near Kreminna, in the Luhansk region, during a combat operation yesterday

Unconfirmed footage on Russian social media platforms appeared to show German-made Leopard tanks being destroyed.

Last night, the Ukrainian government gave few details about the long-awaited counter-offensive.

Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar confirmed that there was fighting: “The fighting continues in front of Velyka Novosilka in the direction of Novopavlovsk. In the Orikhiv area, the enemy is already on the defensive.’

But some Russian sources were skeptical of this claim, with Vladimir Romanov – a military blogger based in Crimea – saying the clashes were just “active investigations” so far and that Russian troops were “well enough prepared” for the counter-offensive.

Russian blogger Zapiski Veterana (Notes from a veteran) said: “I think we can already talk about the beginning of Ukraine’s long-heralded offensive.

“There hasn’t been such a movement at the front for a long time. The Ukrainians came in waves.’

The angle of the attacks suggested that Ukraine’s objective priority was to break through Russian defenses 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 thrown forward. The enemy has conquered several heights, but has failed to make a deep breakthrough.’

A third advance around the heavily bombed Bakhmut settlement also took place yesterday, with Ukrainian sources saying troops had gained a mile of ground around the town.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a video address that an estimated 1,500 Ukrainian troops had participated, attacking in four directions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, hosts a video conference call yesterday with members of the newly formed International Expert Group on Russian Ecocide

A British Challenger 2 tank sent by the UK to aid Ukraine in its fight against Russia

The acceleration in the pace of operations by Ukraine came as at least one person was killed after Russia shelled the flood-stricken area of ​​Kherson.

Thousands of homes were flooded last night after explosions at the nearby Kakhovaka Dam.

The civilian died and at least eight others were injured after the Kremlin targeted evacuees fleeing Tuesday’s blasts, described as the biggest environmental disaster since Chernobyl.

The death was confirmed by the prosecutor’s office in Kherson, which is 60 kilometers downstream from the dam.

The victims were moved from a neighborhood that was flooded when the shelling took place. Unconfirmed Ukrainian reports this afternoon also suggested that some people have drowned.

Russian shells also nearly killed the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine who visited the disaster area today. He was forced to take cover while conducting television interviews.

Ukraine’s interior ministry said: “The shelling started right during the evacuation of civilians whose houses were flooded. And it continues to prevent Ukraine from saving the most valuable thing: human lives.’

Moscow continues to deny any responsibility for the blasts that caused 20,000 people to leave their homes. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are also at risk of serious illness from pollution caused by the explosions.

Grain fields in vast areas of southern Ukraine could also turn into deserts, as they will no longer receive irrigation previously provided by the dam on the Dnipro River. Ukraine is one of the world’s largest grain exporters.

People help an elderly man on a boat during the evacuation from a flooded neighborhood in Kherson

A water-surrounded church in a flooded neighborhood in Kherson after the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam

The threat of exploding landmines also remains, according to the Red Cross. The munitions planted by Russian troops will pose a threat to civilians in the area for “decades”, the agency said today.

Visiting Kherson today, Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the international response to the incident, particularly the United Nations responsible for providing emergency flood relief.

The Ukrainian president praised rescue workers for their exhaustive efforts and said today’s priority was to “protect lives.”

He told them, “You are now going through this difficult trial. We help you and rebuild everything that needs to be repaired. I thank you and wish you good health.’

Currently, an estimated 250 square miles of land is under water. Most of the affected area is in Russian-occupied parts of the Kherson region.