Russia claims it thwarted Ukrainian attacks in provinces annexed by Moscow

Russian officials say their forces thwarted large Ukrainian attacks in two provinces of Ukraine illegally annexed by Moscow

Russian officials on June 5 said their forces had thwarted large Ukrainian attacks in two provinces of Ukraine annexed by Moscow on Sunday. The Ukrainian military suggested the Russian reports were part of a misinformation campaign as Kyiv prepares for an anticipated counteroffensive.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said in a rare early-morning video on Monday that its forces had pushed back a “large-scale” assault at five points in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk province, one of four regions that President Vladimir Putin claimed as Russian territory last fall but is only partially controlled by Moscow.

“The enemy’s goal was to break through our defences in the most vulnerable, in its opinion, sector of the front,” Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said. “The enemy did not achieve its tasks. It had no success.”

Konashenkov said 250 Ukrainian personnel were killed, and 16 Ukrainian tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles, and 21 armoured combat vehicles were destroyed.

Vladimir Rogov, a Moscow-installed official in southeast Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia province said on Sunday that Kyiv’s forces also attempted to breach Russian defences there but were repelled after advancing 400 metres (less than a quarter-mile) into Russia-occupied territory.

Active hostilities resumed early Monday, Mr. Rogov said, adding that “the enemy threw an even bigger force into the attack than yesterday.” The new attempt to break through the front line was “more large-scale and organised,” he said, adding: “A battle is underway.”

Ukrainian officials did not confirm the attacks. The Centre for Strategic Communications of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Telegram that Russian forces were “stepping up their information and psychological operations.”