The Ukrainian and Russian sides have given conflicting statements on whether or not Ukraine’s counteroffensive has begun, amid fierce preventing for the japanese metropolis of Bakhmut. The top of Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group, Yevgeniy Prigozhin, mentioned his forces management a lot of the metropolis however {that a} Ukrainian counteroffensive is “in full swing,” with profitable assaults on Russian forces. Later Friday, Prigozhin referred to as on Russia’s protection leaders to “cease mendacity” in regards to the battlefield state of play.
Russia’s Protection Ministry denied studies of Ukrainian forces breaking via on the entrance traces, whereas Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned his nation wanted to attend for extra tools to reach earlier than beginning a spring offensive. Some Ukrainians concern that, if the counteroffensive is perceived as falling quick, strain will develop on Zelensky to barter a peace take care of Moscow, or Western assist may wane.
Right here’s the newest on the conflict and its ripple results throughout the globe.
Ukraine’s cultural counteroffensive: The push to erase Russia’s imprint: In one other signal of how Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion has backfired, Ukrainians are erasing traces of Russian tradition, language and monuments from their nation, Ruby Mellen, Zoeann Murphy, Kostiantyn Khudov and Kasia Strek report. Russian books have been pulped. Russocentric museums have been shuttered. Landmarks named after Russian figures have been marked for renaming.
“Nobody has executed extra de-Russify Ukraine than Putin,” mentioned Rory Finnin, an affiliate professor of Ukrainian research at Cambridge College. Ukrainians had been ready “to handle their, at instances, overlapping” and layered cultures, Finnin added, however Putin’s aggression has pushed many to hunt the entire elimination of Russian tradition and historical past.
Loveday Morris and Stefano Pitrelli contributed to this report.
