Russia says its forces thwarted major Ukrainian offensive

Smoke rises over an area of the Ukraine-Russia border, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, June 4, 2023. Credit: Reuters Photo

Russian forces have thwarted a major Ukrainian offensive in the southern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, the Russian defence ministry said early on Monday.

In a statement, the ministry said Ukraine had launched the offensive on Sunday using six mechanised and two tank battalions.

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Reuters was unable to immediately verify the Russian statement.