krainian forces have had a “particularly fruitful” previous couple of days in destroying Russian gasoline depots, command posts, air defences and artillery, a senior official mentioned on Tuesday.

Oleksiy Danilov, the top of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, mentioned this was “fulfilling the number one task” in Kyiv’s counter-offensive.

The main counter-attack goes slower than anticipated by many navy consultants as Ukraine seeks to restrict casualties as its forces need to cross heavily-mined areas earlier than reaching Russian defences.

But Mr Danilov tweeted: "At this stage of active hostilities, Ukraine's Defence Forces are fulfilling the number one task – the maximum destruction of manpower, equipment, fuel depots, military vehicles, command posts, artillery and air defense forces of the Russian army.

"The previous couple of days have been significantly fruitful."

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British navy chiefs highlighted the difficulties for Ukrainian autos crossing minefields.

In its newest intelligence replace, the Minstry of Defence mentioned: “In recent weeks, Russia has prioritised and refined tactics aimed at slowing Ukrainian armoured counter-offensive operations in southern Ukraine.

“The core of this approach has been Russia’s very heavy use of anti-tank mines. In some areas the density of its minefields indicate that it has likely used many more mines than laid down in its military doctrine.

“Having slowed the Ukrainian advance, Russia has then attempted to strike Ukrainian armoured vehicles with one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles, attack helicopters and artillery.”

The briefing added: “Although Russia has achieved some success with this approach in the early stages of Ukraine’s counter-offensive, its forces continue to suffer from key weaknesses, especially overstretched units and a shortage of artillery munitions.”