Sharjah 24 – AFP: Fighting raged Friday in southern Ukraine, but Russian leader Vladimir Putin claimed Kyiv's long-expected offensive was already failing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, while praising the heroism of his country's soldiers, made no direct reference to what some observers believe is the much-awaited counter-offensive.
"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 for a counter-offensive to claw back territory from Russia in the east and south but there would be no formal announcement when it began.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the counter-offensive had started but that efforts "so far have failed", after Moscow said it repelled several Ukrainian assaults.
Ukraine has said little about the clashes, but Moscow reported repelling attacks in the Zaporizhzhia and eastern Donetsk areas with ground and air forces.
"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.
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