Russia Claims Victory Over Ukrainian Offensive in Belgorod Region

Russia claims to have thwarted a major Ukrainian offensive in Donetsk, killing 250 troops and destroying armoured vehicles. However, there has been no comment from Kyiv and Russia's claim has not been independently verified. Ukraine has been planning a counter-offensive for months, but it is unclear whether the alleged attacks indicate that the fresh push to recapture Ukrainian land from Russian forces has begun in earnest. The government in Kyiv needs to show the people of Ukraine and Western allies that it can break through Russian lines, end the effective military deadlock and recapture some of its sovereign territory.