Russia says it repelled Ukrainian counterattacks in Donetsk Zaporizhzhia

Russia said its forces had launched an attack on Ukrainian military positions using long-range precision weapons launched from the sea.

Destroyed tanks and armored vehicles of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Photo: Russian Defense Ministry

The Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine and Zaporizhzhia in the country's southwest are among five regions, including the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, that Russia says it has annexed from Ukraine.

Russia said last week that a Ukrainian counter-offensive had begun and has consistently maintained that it has foiled the enemy's plans, posting images of destroyed combat vehicles and tanks provided by the US and Germany to Kiev.

However, Ukraine said on Monday its troops had retaken a fourth village in its offensive. A video it posted showed soldiers raising the Ukrainian flag in Storozheve in the Donetsk region.

Earlier on Sunday, Ukraine said its forces had liberated three villages - Blahodatne, Neskuchne and Makarivka - located on the edge of the Donetsk region near the Zaporizhzhia region.

However, observers say these are still somewhat modest steps if the long-awaited counter-offensive campaign by Ukrainian forces has actually begun.

Several prominent Russian military bloggers said the battle for Makarivka was still raging but confirmed that Ukrainian forces had captured Blahodatne and Neskuchne.

Russia has built vast fortifications to defend against a Ukrainian military counterattack with Western hardware and trained troops over the past several months.

Hoang Anh (according to TASS, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nga-noi-day-lui-cac-cuoc-phan-cong-cua-ukraine-o-donetsk-va-zaporizhzhia-post251374.html