'Significant' Ukrainian operations in east and south of country, MOD says

'Significant' Ukrainian operations have taken place in several regions of eastern and southern Ukraine, according to the latest Ministry of Defence (MOD) update.

Ukrainian forces have "likely made good progress" and penetrated the first line of Russian defences, the MOD said. In other areas, however, it said Ukrainian progress has been slower.

The intelligence update described Russian performance as "mixed", with some units "likely conducting credible manoeuvre defence operations".

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Others have pulled back in some "disorder", amid increased reports of Russian casualties as they withdraw through their own minefields, the intelligence update explained.

While the Russian Air Force has been "unusually active" over southern Ukraine, the intelligence update said the effectiveness of tactical airstrikes has been unclear.

Ukrainian counter-offensive

Ukraine will not rush deploying Western battle tanks in its counter-offensive against Russian forces, a defence analyst has said.

The Ukrainians reportedly launched a brigade-sized attack south of the city of Zaporizhzhia.

Russia, meanwhile, has released footage of what it says is a destroyed Ukrainian Leopard 2 tank, but experts dispute the claim.