Moscow officials claimed that Ukrainian forces were making a major effort to punch through Russian defensive lines in southeast Ukraine for a second day Monday. Kyiv authorities didn't confirm the attacks and suggested the claim was a Russian misinformation ruse.
Vladimir Rogov, a Moscow-installed official in southeast Ukraine's partly-occupied Zaporizhzhia province, said fighting resumed there early Monday after Russian defences beat back a Ukrainian advance the previous day.Rogov claimed that "the enemy threw an even bigger force into the attack than yesterday." The new attempt to break through the front line was "more large-scale and organized," he said, adding: "A battle is underway.
The claims could not be independently verified, and Ukrainian officials did not confirm any assaults, but the reports fueled speculation that a major Ukrainian ground operation could be underway as part of an anticipated counteroffensive. "In order to demoralize Ukrainians and mislead the community , Russian propagandists will spread false information about the counteroffensive, its directions and the losses of the Ukrainian army. Even if there is no counteroffensive," a statement on Telegram read.
Driving out the Kremlin's forces is a daunting challenge. Russia has built extensive defensive lines, including trenches, minefields and anti-tank defences. The front line stretches for 1,100 kilometres .Michael Clark, the former head of the Royal United Services Institute think tank, said the "increased tempo" of activity in recent weeks likely marked the start of the counteroffensive and that June is likely to see the start of Ukraine's ground operation.
Ukraine often waits until the completion of its military operations to confirm its actions, imposing news blackouts in the interim.
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