KYIV, June 10 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday that Ukrainian counteroffensive operations were underway, but remained discreet on details beyond sending a message to the Kremlin that his top generals were in high spirits.
Zelenskiy shrugged dismissively at a press conference in Kyiv when asked to comment after Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Ukrainian forces had certainly begun their much-vaunted counteroffensive.
Britain's Ministry of Defence said Ukraine had conducted significant operations in several eastern and southern parts in the last 48 hours, with Russian defences breached in places.
"In some areas, Ukrainian forces have likely made good progress and penetrated the first line of Russian defences.
In others, Ukrainian progress has been slower," it said, characterising the Russian military's performance as mixed.
Persons:
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Justin Trudeau, Tom Balmforth, Felix Hoske, Alex Richardson, Andrew Cawthorne
Organizations:
Ukrainian, Kremlin, Canadian, Britain's Ministry of Defence, Thomson
Locations:
Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia