Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says his military commanders are in a “positive mood” as a long-awaited counteroffensive begins. Official details about the counteroffensive are scarce; Ukraine’s military has repeatedly said it wants to preserve the element of surprise. Analysts said Ukraine appears to be attacking on several fronts, including Velyka Novosilka in the Donetsk region and Orikhiv in the Zaporizhzhia region.
In Moscow, an American citizen has been arrested, according to a court statement.
Here’s the latest on the war and its effects around the world.
“What were the announced objectives at the start of the special military operation?” asked an influential member of the Russian parliament, Konstantin Zatulin, who is close to senior intelligence officials, using the Kremlin’s term for war. “You all remember: denazification, demilitarization, the neutrality of Ukraine and the defense of the residents of Donetsk and Luhansk. On which of these points did we achieve results today? Not a single one.”
Natalia Abbakumova and Francesca Ebel contributed to this report.
