The Russian Ministry of Defence has claimed that Ukraine launched a "large-scale offensive" within the south of the Donetsk area.
Ukraine is trying an info blackout on any attainable offensive - however what proof is there on-line?
Sky News' knowledge and forensics crew has been monitoring movies posted to social media and varied Russian warfare reporters that cowl the battle.
Ukraine war latest: Counteroffensive 'has begun' as Russian defences 'fragile'
Russian sources are reporting that Ukraine has launched assaults round particular settlements in Donetsk.
Each level on this map pertains to a selected location described in reporting and this space matches the place the Russian Ministry of Defence has claimed the Ukrainian offensive is happening.
One put up claimed that Ukrainian forces made positive aspects into Novodonetske, which is simply behind the at present assessed frontline within the south of Donetsk.
Another mentioned that as much as 10 armoured Ukrainian automobiles carried out a profitable offensive on the close by settlement of Zolota Nyva.
These particular person stories can't be confirmed by Sky News.
There is a few visible proof of combating within the areas of South Donetsk from current days that may be verified.
This video was launched at present by the Russian MOD, claiming to indicate the destruction of Ukrainian tools.
It options a number of automobiles and explosions however as a result of picture high quality it's onerous to conclude a lot else.
It will be geo-located to the identical space of Donetsk because the reported offensive primarily based on distinctive pure landmarks and fields seen in satellite tv for pc imagery.
It is considered one of 4 movies that Sky News has verified at present.
Russian navy bloggers have reported that there's exercise within the Bakhmut space. There has been ongoing combating on this space and it is unclear from posts if these stories are of elevated depth.
Hanna Malyar, a deputy minister of defence of Ukraine, wrote on her Telegram channel earlier at present that the "Bakhmut direction remains the epicentre of hostilities" and that the Russians have been claiming the counteroffensive is underway "because they need to divert attention from the defeat" within the space.
Read extra: Exclusive: Arms contract 'shows Iran sold Russia ammunition' for Ukraine warWhat online evidence reveals about the drone attack on Moscow Anti-Kremlin fighters to hand over captured Russian troops to Ukraine
One Russian blogger reported that combating has taken place to the south-west of Bakhmut and Soledar, a mining city north of Bakhmut, is below heavy artillery fireplace.
Most on-line posts about particular places are from Russian sources.
This might be on account of a Ukrainian marketing campaign for an info blackout on-line for something regarding a possible offensive.
This was publicised at present with the tagline: "Words are very unnecessary. They can only do harm".
Click to subscribe to Ukraine War Diaries wherever you get your podcasts
Please share by clicking this button!
Visit our site and see all other available articles!