Kyiv Launches Major Push vs Russian Forces

Ukraine has launched a major push to dislodge Russian forces from the southeast as part of its counteroffensive, committing thousands of troops to the battle, according to Western and Ukrainian officials and analysts, Hanna Arhirova reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Photo Insert: Fighting has intensified along the 1,500-kilometer (930-mile) front line as Ukraine deploys advanced weapons and Western-trained troops against the Russians.

The surge in troops and firepower has been centered on the region of Zaporizhzhia, a US official said late Wednesday.

Fighting has intensified along the 1,500-kilometer (930-mile) front line as Ukraine deploys advanced weapons and Western-trained troops against the Russians who invaded 17 months ago.

The counteroffensive is a massive military operation, and military planners need to orchestrate supplies of ammunition, food, medical supplies and spare parts to the front line.

Ukrainian officials have been mostly silent about battlefield developments since they began counteroffensive operations, though Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said troops are advancing toward Melitopol in Zaporizhizhia.

Though that movement could be a tactical feint, such a maneuver would be in line with what some analysts had predicted, Aamer Madhani, Rod McGuirk and Nick Perry also reported for AP.

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