For months, Ukraine has been announcing a counter-offensive in the southern areas occupied by Russia. According to the Ukrainian military, this has now started. The population should get to safety there.
The Ukrainian military has said it has launched a long-awaited counter-offensive on the southern front in the country. The responsible military command called on the civilian population to leave areas where there was a risk of fighting.
Ukraine's Southern Command spokeswoman Natalia Humenyuk said recent attacks on Russian supply routes had "undoubtedly weakened the enemy." Within the past week, ten Russian ammunition depots have been hit. She did not want to give any further information about the offensive. However, she pointed out that the Russian armed forces in the south were "quite strong" and had been built up over a longer period of time. Russia currently controls around 20 percent of Ukraine's territory.
In the southern Ukrainian region of Cherson, Ukrainian troops are said to have broken through the Russian front lines. Accordingly, units of the Donetsk separatists and supporting Russian marine infantry are said to have been forced to retreat. More precise locations were not given. The information could not be independently verified.
In order to prevent a counter-offensive and tie down Ukrainian troops in the east, Russia recently intensified its attacks near the city of Donetsk. There was heavy fighting near the cities of Siwersk and Bakhmut north of Donetsk. Overall, however, the Russian units only gained a little ground.
Russia had launched an invasion of Ukraine just over six months ago. Since then it has conquered large parts of southern and eastern Ukraine. Since June, the Ukrainian leadership has nurtured hopes of a major counter-offensive in the south.
