https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-06-05-23/index.html
Kyiv pushes back against Russia's claim of resisting a large-scale attack from Ukrainian forces
From CNN's Nathan Hodge, Sebastian Shukla, Olga Voitovych and Sana Noor Haq
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its troops resisted a “large-scale” attack from Ukrainian forces in the eastern Donetsk region, heightening speculation that Kyiv will soon launch a spring counteroffensive that could swing the course of the conflict.
Both Ukraine and Russia have engaged in intense information campaigns to sway public opinion and mislead their opponents about their battle plans.
Monday’s announcement from the Russian side was no exception: The Russian military claimed in a statement to have killed 250 Ukrainians and destroyed armored vehicles used in the assault, but provided scant evidence.
A spokesperson for the Ukraine Armed Forces, Bohdan Senyk, told CNN that Ukraine does “not have information” on a purported “large-scale offensive” in Donetsk.
Moscow is known to make inflated claims about Ukrainian losses. CNN has been unable to independently verify the claim.
In a post on its official Telegram feed, the ministry said the assault took place at “five section of the front in the southern Donetsk direction.”
The ministry claimed the goal of the Ukrainian operation was “to break through” Russian defenses in what it considered to be “the most vulnerable area of the front.”
At the time of the attack, Russia’s top general Valery Gerasimov “was at one of the forward command and control posts,” the statement added.
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Ukraine has "advanced" in "several directions" in the east, deputy defense minister says
From CNN’s Maria Kostenko in Kyiv and Jo Shelley
Ukrainian forces destroy Russian positions close to Bakhmut, near Klishchiivka, Donetsk Region, Ukraine, in this screengrab taken from a video released on June 4.
Ukrainian forces destroy Russian positions close to Bakhmut, near Klishchiivka, Donetsk Region, Ukraine, in this screengrab taken from a video released on June 4. Ukrainian Armed Forces Press Service/Reuters
Ukrainian troops are making advances on the eastern front around the city of Bakhmut, according to deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar.
Ground troops were "carrying out offensive actions" and had "advanced in several directions" near the settlements of Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Paraskoviivka, Ivanivske and Klishchiivka, she said in a post on Telegram on Monday.
Orikhovo-Vasylivka and Paraskoviivka are both north of Bakhmut and Ivanivske and Klishchiivka are to the southwest.
CNN cannot verify the battlefield reports.
Earlier, Maliar had said on Telegram that Ukrainian troops were, "switching to offensive actions in some directions" and had taken over the “dominant heights” around Bakhmut.
One Ukrainian officer deployed in the area said his brigade was "gradually advancing."
“Today, our 3rd Separate Assault Brigade has resumed its advance near Bakhmut. We are gradually advancing, taking new positions. The Russians are nervous,” Maj. Maksym Zhorin said on Telegram on Monday.