Putin claims Ukraine has suffered 'catastrophic' losses during failed counter-offensive
Russian president Vladimir Putin claims the long-anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive is failing, with Kyiv suffering "catastrophic" losses.
Mr Putin told a meeting of war correspondents: "The enemy has no success in any of the sections, they had heavy losses, all their losses are close to the estimate of what is called catastrophic in terms of personnel."
This information shared by the president has not been verified, with Ukraine denying that its counter-offensive failed.
Ukraine 'are moving forward'
In his nightly address, Ukrainian President Zelensky denied the counter-offensive is failing and has even said that "there is advancement" and "they are moving forward".
Mr Zelensky used his address to thank "each and every person who took part in the rescue operation", following the reports of further Russian missile attacks on Odessa and the Donetsk region.
He also delivered a thank you to the "warriors" and "heroes" in combat who he said are "protecting and advancing our positions".
Mr Zelensky praised advances by his troops near the long-besieged city of Bakhmut in the east and on the war's southern front.
The Ukraine president also highlighted the units of the Tavria operations and strategic group of troops who "despite extremely fierce fighting, despite the occupiers' air and artillery superiority, they are moving forward!"
Mr Zelensky also thanked the US for delivering "another timely package of defense support".
"Artillery, armoured vehicles, ammunition for our Himars. Thank you, America!" President Zelensky said.
Ukraine's counter-offensive
Mr Putin has said that the large-scale counter-offensive undertaken by Ukraine has not been successful in any area.
He even told a meeting of war correspondents that Ukraine was suffering massive losses and Kyiv's casualties were in fact 10 times greater than Moscow's.
On Monday, Ukrainian troops had reportedly made territorial advances, liberating three villages in its southeast region in the process.
These reported victories would be the first liberated settlements since Zelensky confirmed his country's counter-offensive against Russian forces is under way.
Forces News' Ukraine correspondent Simon Newton believes that the decisive breakthrough Kyiv, and its Western backers, want to see is still some way off.
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