Tensions Escalate as Russia and Ukraine Exchange Fire and Claims of Attacks.

Russia claims to have repelled a major attack by Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk region, killing 250 troops and destroying several vehicles. The attack has not been independently verified, and it is unclear if it represents the start of the Ukrainian counteroffensive. Meanwhile, an energy facility in Belgorod is on fire after a drone attack, and the governor has blamed pro-Ukrainian Russian partisans. Supporters of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny were arrested during demonstrations on his birthday, and Ukraine continues to prepare for its counteroffensive.