Ukraine Pushes South

 

Ukraine Pushes South

The Ukrainian army began a long-awaited counteroffensive in the southern region of the country yesterday, according to military officials. The area was one of the first to fall into Russian hands in the early weeks of the war.    Hinted at for months and bolstered by Western military aid, the counteroffensive is focused along the contested areas near the Black Sea in the southeast, particularly the Kherson Oblast (see map). An unverified report claims a Russian military base was destroyed, while many bridges have been struck and at least 10 ammunition dumps reportedly leveled in recent weeks using precision artillery.   Russian officials say the reports are fabricated—though it shifted thousands of troops to the area from the east. US intelligence suggests Russia may soon try to annex Kherson, a key region near the Black Sea, a possible factor in Ukraine's announcement of the offensive.   Meanwhile, nuclear inspectors were said to arrive yesterday at the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia power plant in Kherson, currently caught in the crossfire.