| Ukraine signals its counteroffensive has begun |
| President Volodymyr Zelensky said that “counteroffensive and defensive actions are being taken in Ukraine.” It is the strongest confirmation yet that the long-anticipated campaign has started, after Ukraine launched multiple attacks last week. |
| Fighting raged yesterday in at least three areas of the front line in Ukraine. The Ukrainian military claimed to have made its first territorial gains: three small settlements in the eastern region of Donetsk. The claims could not immediately be independently verified, and it was unclear if Ukraine had managed to break through the Russian lines. |
| Experts warn that Ukraine will suffer heavy losses in the fighting. Ukraine and Russia have both already suffered casualties, two U.S. officials said. At least three German-made Leopard 2 tanks and eight U.S.-made Bradley fighting vehicles were recently abandoned by Ukrainian troops or destroyed, videos and photos verified by The Times show. |
| Context: The military operation, which is expected to become one of the largest in Europe since World War II, is seen as at a stage of probing attacks and feints. |
| Dam collapse: Floods have killed at least 14 people. Yesterday, Russian forces fired on a boat rescuing civilians from flooding, killing three people, the local authorities said. Upstream, villagers are facing a slow-moving disaster as water levels drop. “Everything will die,” a 64-year-old said, standing in her garden. |
