Russia says it thwarted Ukrainian offensive

MOSCOW/KYIV — Russia said on Monday its forces had thwarted a major Ukrainian offensive at five points along the front in the Donetsk region.

For months, Kyiv has said it is preparing a major counteroffensive in the face of Russia's special military operation.

Russia's Defense Ministry said Ukraine had attacked with six mechanized and two tank battalions in southern Donetsk.

"On the morning of June 4, the enemy launched a large-scale offensive in five sectors of the front in the South Donetsk direction," the ministry said in a statement posted on Telegram.

"The enemy's goal was to break through our defenses in the most vulnerable, in its opinion, sector of the front. The enemy did not achieve its tasks, it had no success."

The daily report from Ukraine's General Staff only said there were 29 combat clashes in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions.

Ukraine published a flashy video last week, depicting troops preparing for battle and reciting a rousing blessing, which was later aired as a recruiting clip.

Russia's Defense Ministry released video footage of what it said showed several Ukrainian armored vehicles in a field blowing up after being hit.

Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, who is in charge of Moscow's special military operation, was in the area of the Ukrainian attack, the ministry said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told The Wall Street Journal in an interview published on Saturday that he was ready to launch the counteroffensive, but tempered a forecast of success with a warning that it could take some time and come at a heavy cost.

The Kremlin said on Sunday that any supply of long-range missiles to Kyiv by France and Germany would lead to a further round of "spiraling tension" in the conflict.

Britain became the first country last month to supply Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles.

Ukraine has asked Germany for Taurus cruise missiles, which have a range of 500 kilometers, while French President Emmanuel Macron said France will give Ukraine missiles with a range allowing it to carry out its long-anticipated counteroffensive.

"We are already starting to see discussions about deliveries from France and Germany of missiles with a range of 500 km or more," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a reporter from Rossiya-1 TV channel. "This is a completely different weapon which will lead to, let's say, another round of spiraling tension."

Meanwhile, Russia's Baltic Fleet started naval exercises in the Baltic Sea on Monday, the Russian military's press service said. Around 3,500 soldiers and up to 40 ships and boats will take part in the drills, which are scheduled to last until June 15, the military said.

Agencies Via Xinhua