Information that the Ukrainian military has gone on the attack in several directions has circulated in the past few days. Some of the fiercest fighting is said to have taken place in the Zaporizhzhya region, where the Ukrainians are said to have encountered a united Russian resistance.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Ukraine had launched its counteroffensive, but according to him without achieving any major gains. The Ukrainian leadership is silent and has contented itself with stating that the Russians are on the defensive in the southern parts of the country.
Ukraine’s military has previously said it will not say when the offensive will begin. Clear orders have also been given regarding silence regarding troop movements and where to attack.
Losses on both sides
SVT’s Ukraine correspondent Elin Jönsson and photographer Lars Lyrefelt are on the ground in Ukraine, where two independent sources state that the Ukrainian offensive has actually begun.
The operation is now said to be in an initial phase where they feel their way and try to find weak points in the Russian lines.
– You have not succeeded in breaking through, but you have had great losses of combat vehicles but also of manpower. But the Russians have also had a lot of losses, says Elin Jönsson in Rapport.
– The Russians have been prepared for this offensive.
Pictures of Leopard tanks at the front
Several Russian actors, including the Russian Ministry of Defense, have circulated a series of video clips that allegedly show burning Ukrainian combat vehicles.
Among other things, what appear to be destroyed Leopard tanks, donated by Western countries, and American Bradleys are visible.
Clips purportedly showing Russian soldiers leaving their positions and falling back are also circulating.