As the first success in its counteroffensive, Ukraine claims that a village in the southeast has been retaken. A video reportedly shows soldiers bringing a Ukrainian flag into a destroyed building. According to a statement from the ground forces, soldiers from the 68th Fighter Brigade have liberated the village of Blagodatne in the eastern Donetsk region.
On Saturday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the counteroffensive had begun, without giving any details. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the counteroffensive is already on the verge of failure.
While Ukraine is claiming success, Russia claims to have repelled a Ukrainian attack on a warship in the Black Sea that was said to be guarding a gas pipeline.
“The armed forces of Ukraine made an unsuccessful attempt to attack the Black Sea Fleet ship Priazovye,” writes the Russian Defense Ministry in a statement.
Unmanned boats were used
According to the ministry, six unmanned boats were used in the attack. However, the information has not been confirmed by any independent source.
Priazovye is a Vishnya-class signals intelligence vessel. The Russian navy is said to have seven ships of this type, all built in the 80s. The ships in the Vishnya class are 91.5 meters long and have a crew of around 150 men.
According to the Swedish Armed Forces, ships in the same class have previously been active in the Baltic Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegatt.