Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Zhytomyr... Read moreKYIV, June 9 (Reuters) - Russia reported heavy fighting along the front in southern Ukraine on Friday, where bloggers described the first sightings of German and U.S. armour, signalling that Ukraine's long-anticipated counterattack was under way.
The counteroffensive is ultimately expected to involve thousands of Ukrainian troops trained and equipped by the West.
Russia, which has had months to prepare its defensive lines, says it has withstood attacks since the start of the week.
Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar described heavy fighting in the east, where she said Ukrainian troops had mainly held off Russian attacks.
On the southern front she said only that battles were continuing for the settlement of Velyka Novosilka and that Russian troops were mounting "active defence" at Orikhiv.
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