The Russian Defense Ministry has reported that on the morning of June 4, the Ukrainian military launched a large-scale offensive in five areas of the front in the southern Donetsk area.
According to the agency, the effort involved six Ukrainian mechanized battalions and two Ukrainian tank battalions.
In a statement released Sunday night, the Russian ministry said the Ukrainian military’s goal was to break through Russia’s defenses at what it believed was the most vulnerable section of the front. “The enemy did not achieve its objectives, it was not successful,” the statement concluded.
Russia said Ukraine lost more than 250 soldiers, 16 tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles, and 21 armored vehicles in the attempt.
The Russian Defense Ministry also said that Russian Army General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov “was located at one of the forward command posts in this area” during Ukraine’s offensive.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have not commented on Russia’s report.
