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| Ukrainian attacks continue in key southern Zaporizhzhia region | Ukrainian attacks continue in key southern Zaporizhzhia region |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Experts believe the focus of Ukraine's long awaited counter-offensive will be in Zaporizhzhia | Experts believe the focus of Ukraine's long awaited counter-offensive will be in Zaporizhzhia |
| Ukrainian attacks in the key southern Zaporizhzhia region are continuing, Russian officials and military bloggers say, reporting heavy fighting there. | Ukrainian attacks in the key southern Zaporizhzhia region are continuing, Russian officials and military bloggers say, reporting heavy fighting there. |
| They say Ukrainian troops - backed by tanks, artillery and drones - are trying to advance south of the town of Orikhiv for the second night running. | They say Ukrainian troops - backed by tanks, artillery and drones - are trying to advance south of the town of Orikhiv for the second night running. |
| A senior Ukrainian defence official said the enemy was in "active defence". | A senior Ukrainian defence official said the enemy was in "active defence". |
| Several military experts have said the focus of Ukraine's long awaited counter-offensive will be Zaporizhzhia. | Several military experts have said the focus of Ukraine's long awaited counter-offensive will be Zaporizhzhia. |
| They argue Kyiv is trying to regain access to the Sea of Azov, splitting the occupying Russian forces in the region into two detached groupings. | |
| That would not only weaken their combat capabilities, but also eliminate a land bridge to Crimea - Ukraine's southern peninsula illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. | |
| Earlier on Thursday, the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Ukraine's counter-offensive had begun - although Kyiv remains tight-lipped on the issue. | Earlier on Thursday, the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Ukraine's counter-offensive had begun - although Kyiv remains tight-lipped on the issue. |
| Meanwhile, the UK defence ministry said that "amidst a highly complex operational picture, heavy fighting continues along multiple sectors of the front". | Meanwhile, the UK defence ministry said that "amidst a highly complex operational picture, heavy fighting continues along multiple sectors of the front". |
| It added that "in most areas Ukraine holds the initiative". | It added that "in most areas Ukraine holds the initiative". |
| Russia seized most of the Zaporizhzhia region - including Europe's largest nuclear power plant - soon after President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion in February 2022. | Russia seized most of the Zaporizhzhia region - including Europe's largest nuclear power plant - soon after President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion in February 2022. |
| The regional capital, the city of Zaporizhzhia, is controlled by Ukraine. | The regional capital, the city of Zaporizhzhia, is controlled by Ukraine. |
| Ukraine counter-offensive 'ready to begin' | Ukraine counter-offensive 'ready to begin' |
| Several Russian pro-Kremlin military bloggers reported late on Thursday that Ukraine had resumed its attacks overnight. | Several Russian pro-Kremlin military bloggers reported late on Thursday that Ukraine had resumed its attacks overnight. |
| They said armoured personnel carriers and drones directing artillery fire were also deployed. | They said armoured personnel carriers and drones directing artillery fire were also deployed. |
| Vladimir Rogov, a Russian-installed local official, said there had been "active fighting" in the area between Orikhiv and Tokmak, with Russian troops holding their positions. | Vladimir Rogov, a Russian-installed local official, said there had been "active fighting" in the area between Orikhiv and Tokmak, with Russian troops holding their positions. |
| The town of Tokmak is seen by many military experts as a key target for Ukraine as it seeks to advance to the Sea of Azov. | The town of Tokmak is seen by many military experts as a key target for Ukraine as it seeks to advance to the Sea of Azov. |
| Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the earlier reported Ukrainian assault had been repelled, harming the enemy. The minister provided no evidence to back his claim. | Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the earlier reported Ukrainian assault had been repelled, harming the enemy. The minister provided no evidence to back his claim. |
| Meanwhile, Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said in a brief statement on Thursday that Russian forces were currently "in active defence" on the Zaporizhzhia direction. | Meanwhile, Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said in a brief statement on Thursday that Russian forces were currently "in active defence" on the Zaporizhzhia direction. |
| In its latest bulletin on Thursday evening, Ukraine's military stated only that the "enemy continues to be on the defensive" towards Zaporizhzhia as well as in neighbouring Kherson, a region hit by a massive flooding after a major dam collapsed earlier this week. | In its latest bulletin on Thursday evening, Ukraine's military stated only that the "enemy continues to be on the defensive" towards Zaporizhzhia as well as in neighbouring Kherson, a region hit by a massive flooding after a major dam collapsed earlier this week. |
| The Ukrainian military added that Russian troops had carried out air strikes there and used artillery during the day. | The Ukrainian military added that Russian troops had carried out air strikes there and used artillery during the day. |
| Who benefits from breaching the dam? | Who benefits from breaching the dam? |
| What we know about Nova Kakhovka incident | What we know about Nova Kakhovka incident |
| Ros Atkins unpacks the Ukraine dam breach | Ros Atkins unpacks the Ukraine dam breach |
| Ukraine has been planning a counter-offensive for months, but it has wanted as long as possible to train troops and to receive advanced military equipment from Western allies. | Ukraine has been planning a counter-offensive for months, but it has wanted as long as possible to train troops and to receive advanced military equipment from Western allies. |
| Last month, Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, told the BBC that Kyiv was ready to launch the attack - without naming a specific date. | Last month, Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, told the BBC that Kyiv was ready to launch the attack - without naming a specific date. |
| Watch: View from a boat on what used to be a street | Watch: View from a boat on what used to be a street |
| Watch: View from a boat on what used to be a street | Watch: View from a boat on what used to be a street |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Russia-Ukraine war | Russia-Ukraine war |
| Volodymyr Zelensky | Volodymyr Zelensky |
| Russia | Russia |
| Zaporizhzhia | Zaporizhzhia |
| Vladimir Putin | Vladimir Putin |
| Ukraine | Ukraine |