Ukraine 'ready' to begin long-expected counter-offensive, Ukraine's senior security official says

One of Ukraine's most senior security officials has said Ukraine is "ready" to begin the counter-offensive against Russian forces.

Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, told the BBC he would not name a date but said an assault could begin "tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week".

In an interview with the BBC, Mr Danilov said that Ukraine's government had "no right to make a mistake" on the decision because this was a "historic opportunity" that "we cannot lose".

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During the BBC interview, he also confirmed that some Wagner mercenary forces were withdrawing from the city of Bakhmut.

This was reinforced in the latest Ministry of Defence (MOD) Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine.

"Wagner Group forces have likely started to withdraw from some of their positions around the Donetsk city of Bakhmut", the MOD intelligence said.

The intelligence added: "On 25 May 2023, Wagner owner Yevgeny Prigozhin said the withdrawal of his forces from Bakhmut had begun and that transfer of positions to the Russian Ministry of Defence (MOD) would continue to 01 June 2023.

"The Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister also corroborated the rotation out of Wagner forces in the outskirts of the town."

According to the MOD: "As of 24 May 2023, so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) forces have likely entered the city to start clearance operations.

"In recent weeks, elements of the 31st Brigade of Russia's Airborne Forces (VDV) have likely moved from the Svatove-Kreminna area to reinforce Bakhmut's flanks.

"Ukrainian forces had taken 20 sq km on Bakhmut's flanks as of 16 May 2023. The rotation out of Wagner forces is likely to continue in controlled phases to prevent collapse in pockets around Bakhmut.

"Despite Prigozhin's ongoing feud with the Russian MOD, Wagner forces will likely be used for further offensive operations in the Donbas following reconstituting its forces."