Ukraine counter-offensive gets underway as Zelenksy hails ‘results in the east’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has praised the country’s armed forced for gains in heavy fighting in the eastern Donetsk region as a long-awaited Ukrainian counter-offensive gets under way.

In a video update, Mr Zelensky said there was “very heavy fighting in the Donetsk region”, adding that there had been “results”.

“I am grateful to those who achieved these results. Well done in Bakhmut. Step by step,” he added.

The Ukrainian president referred to other areas where fighting is ongoing, but said he would not provide details.

It comes as a long-awaited counter-offensive from Ukrainian troops gets under way.

Ukraine has remained tight-lipped about its plans, however several military experts have said the military will likely to be focussed on the key southern Zaporizhzhia region.

Russian officials and military bloggers reported heavy fighting in the region overnight, with Ukrainian troops reportedly attempting to advance south of the town of Orikhiv for the second night running.

In his video address, Mr Zelensky also provided an update on the situation in Kherson, which has experienced heavy flooding from the burst Kakhovka dam.

He repeated accusations that Russia had shelled evacuation efforts and said Kremlin-installed authorities in occupied areas have abandoned people to their fates.

He also accused international relief organisations of being “absent” in occupied regions and said Ukraine would do everything in its power to ensure people had enough drinking water.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned there is a risk of a cholera outbreak in the area affected by the burst dam.