According to the Reuters news agency, Zelenskyj says that counter-offensive and defensive measures are underway in the country, but will not say what stage they are at. In recent days, there have been reports of heavy fighting on several front sections in the east and south. On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Ukraine had definitely launched the spring offensive, but that it had been unsuccessful so far. – We can definitely say that the Ukrainian counter-offensive has started, says Russian President Vladimir Putin to the state-run Russian news agency Ria Novosti. But when Zelenskyj was asked to comment on the allegations on the same day, he just shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. United Kingdom: – Varying progress in Ukraine According to the British Ministry of Defence, the Ukrainian forces have probably made good progress in some areas and penetrated the first line of defense to Russia. – In other areas, Ukrainian progress has been slower, writes the Ministry of Defense in a statement. At the same time, they claim that Russian progress has been variable. – Some of the military units are carrying out credible defense operations, while others have withdrawn, while increasing Russian losses are reported as they retreat through their own mined areas. A Ukrainian official walks in a trench near the front-line town of Bakhmut, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine 30 May 2023 Photo: Reuters Read: Norwegian in grenade drama in flooded Kherson – The offensive is underway According to the head teacher at the section for land power at the Norwegian Military Academy, Palle Ydstebø, the expect the major offensive in already started – The offensive is probably underway, but more in a preparatory phase than the main attacks themselves. It may still take weeks before the direction and methods become clearer, says Ydstebø – There have been several smaller Ukrainian attacks on at least four axes from Bakhmut and along the front in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhya. These bear the stamp of being a violent investigation to find weaknesses in the Russian defence. At the same time, the Ukrainian attacks against important targets in the Russian rear areas continue. Head teacher at the section for land power at the War College, Palle Ydstebø says the Ukrainian major offensive is underway, but more in a preparatory phase than the main attacks themselves. Putin: – The counteroffensive has been unsuccessful According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the Ukrainian forces have not managed to break through the Russian defense lines in the Zaporizhzhya region. According to Putin, the Ukrainian forces have suffered “significant losses” in recent days, but he adds that they still has “an offensive potential”. Ydstebø believes that Ukraine has not been served by not announcing the major offensive. – Ukraine has used information actively in the preparations, and will continue to use it to influence the Russians and create uncertainty about most things, and try to psych them out. When they find it expedient, I expect them to make it known in the way that gives maximum payoff. Read also: Russia to deploy tactical nuclear weapons: – Signals weakness
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