Fighting In South Ukraine As Putin Dismisses Offensive
Muhammad Irfan Published June 10, 2023 | 09:01 AM
Kyiv, Ukraine, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2023 ) :Fighting raged Friday in southern Ukraine, but Russian leader Vladimir Putin claimed Kyiv's long-expected offensive was already failing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the heroism of his country's soldiers, but made no direct reference to what some observers believe is the start of Ukraine's bid to claw back territory from Russia.
"For our soldiers, for all those who are in particularly tough battles these days, we see your heroism, and we are grateful to you for every minute of your life," Zelensky said in his daily address.
Ukrainian officials have said their forces are ready, but there would be no formal announcement when the counter-offensive starts.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said it had already begun, after Moscow said it had repelled several Ukrainian assaults.
"All counter-offensive efforts so far have failed, but the offensive potential of the Kyiv regime still remains," Putin said in a video, as Washington announced a new $2.1-billion package of military aid for Ukraine.
Moscow says clashes have intensified since Thursday in the Zaporizhzhia region, home to Europe's largest nuclear power plant, which relies on the waters of the Dnipro for its cooling ponds.
These water supplies have been put at risk by the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, which has left 600 square kilometres under water in the region, with around a dozen killed and thousands forced to flee.
- New US aid - A Ukrainian military success in the Zaporizhzhia region would enable its forces to break through the land bridge that connects Russia with the Crimean peninsula it annexed from Ukraine.
That would be a major reversal for Moscow.
The Russian army has in recent months strengthened its front lines in the region, digging kilometres of trenches and fortifying defences.
The Russian army said it had repelled four attacks in the region, "carried out by forces of up to two battalion tactical groups, reinforced with tanks." The increase of fighting in the south has been seen by many observers as a sign that the counter-offensive is already happening, or is about to start.
Kyiv, however, said the main centre of combat was still in eastern Ukraine, while providing few details on the situation in the south.
Kyiv's forces were bolstered with news of the new United States aid package, which will include missiles for Patriot air defence systems, artillery rounds, drones and laser-guided rocket system munitions.
The White House said on Friday Russia was receiving materials from Iran to build a drone factory on its territory that "could be fully operational early next year".
Washington estimates that Russia has received hundreds of attack drones as well as related equipment from Iran to aid its war on Ukraine.
- Dam breach casualties - Emergency services were racing to rescue people stranded by the flood-swollen waters of the Dnipro.
Russian-installed authorities in southern Ukraine on Friday reported eight deaths and said the water could keep rising.
The water, which flooded 22,273 homes in 17 settlements, could "keep rising for up to 10 days," the Moscow-installed head of the Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, said on Telegram.
However, officials in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions reported that water levels had begun to recede there.
Ukrainian Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said at least five people had died and 13 were missing.
- Explosives breached dam - Ukraine and Russia have traded blame for the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, but European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said "everything indicates" Moscow was behind the breach.
"The dam was not bombed," Borrell told Spanish public television. "It was destroyed by explosives installed in the areas where the turbines are located. This area is under Russian control." Norway's seismological institute said it had detected "an explosion" at the site and time the dam was destroyed, supporting suggestions the breach did not occur as a result of damage incurred during months of heavy bombing.
Ukrhydroenergo, the dam's operator, said it was most likely mined from the inside.
Ukrainian authorities said water levels in a reservoir created by the Kakhovka dam had fallen "below the critical point of 12.7 metres (42 feet)".
They said the reservoir was no longer able to supply households and the cooling ponds at the huge Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
However late on Thursday the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the nuclear plant was continuing to receive water from the reservoir after the dam was damaged.
The plant's six reactors have been shut down but they still need cooling water to ensure there is no nuclear disaster.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
3 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
4 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
4 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
5 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
5 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
5 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
7 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
11 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
12 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
12 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
15 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
17 days ago