Russia rejects reports of Ukrainian forces making progress on the front line of the conflict, despite the fact that the claim originated from sources sympathetic to Russia. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group fighting alongside Russia, accused Russian regular troops of withdrawing from positions near Bakhmut. On Thursday, military bloggers from Russia shared information about alleged Ukrainian advancements or troop movements in various regions.

However, the Kremlin refuted any claims of substantial progress by Ukraine. The Russian Ministry of Defense issued a statement stating, "The individual claims made on Telegram regarding a 'breakthrough' at various points along the front line do not align with reality." They further emphasized that "the overall situation in the zone of the special military operation is under control," using Russia's terminology for the invasion. Ukraine's president earlier stated that it was premature to initiate a counteroffensive.

"We have the means to move forward and, in my opinion, achieve success," stated President Volodymyr Zelensky during an interview with public service broadcasters affiliated with Eurovision News, such as the BBC.

"However, the cost in terms of human lives would be considerable, and I find that unacceptable. Hence, we must exercise patience and allow for more time."

The anticipated offensive could have far-reaching consequences, as it has the potential to reshape the frontlines that have remained unchanged for months.

Furthermore, this offensive will serve as a critical test for Ukraine, as it seeks to demonstrate that the weapons and equipment provided by Western nations can yield substantial gains on the battlefield.

Mr. Prigozhin, known for his frequent conflicts with Russian authorities, stated that the situation "on the flanks" in Bakhmut, the devastated city at the heart of intense combat, was unfolding according to the most pessimistic predictions.

"The territories that we have painstakingly captured over many months, with the sacrifice of blood and lives of our comrades, advancing several dozens or hundreds of meters each day, are now being relinquished with little resistance by those responsible for defending our flanks," he expressed.

According to pro-Kremlin Russian war correspondent Sasha Kots, the long-anticipated counteroffensive by Kyiv has purportedly commenced.

According to his sources, he asserted that Ukrainian tanks were observed on the Kharkiv ring road, moving towards the border with Russia. It is important to note that the accuracy of his claims could not be independently verified.

Kots further mentioned that the columns of military vehicles included low loaders transporting Western tank models among other equipment.

In his words, he explained, "In essence, Kyiv has made the decision to escalate the situation along the northern front concurrently with initiating offensive actions on the flanks of Artyomovsk [Bakhmut]."

Alexander Simonov, another Russian war correspondent, shared on Telegram that Ukrainian forces had reportedly achieved a breakthrough near the village of Bohdanivka, in close proximity to Bakhmut, capturing "several square kilometers" of territory.

According to the Institute for the Study of War, it is likely that Ukrainian forces have successfully penetrated certain defensive lines surrounding Bakhmut, resulting in Russian troops retreating by approximately two kilometers (1.2 miles) in certain areas of the front.

The US-based think tank noted that the Russian defense ministry promptly dismissed the reports of Ukrainian breakthroughs, which is atypical, indicating an "increased sense of panic" concerning the planned counteroffensives. This reaction, combined with Mr. Prigozhin's remarks, suggests a heightened level of concern.

Ukrainian military analyst Oleksandr Musivenko stated that Kyiv acknowledged that the anticipated counteroffensive might not necessarily result in the complete liberation of all occupied territories controlled by Russia.

During an interview with Ukrainian NV radio, he expressed the likelihood of the war persisting into the following year.

He stated, "Everything hinges on the progress of the battles. We cannot guarantee the outcome of the counteroffensive."

A senior US military official, who preferred to remain anonymous, informed CNN that Ukrainian forces were making preparations for a significant counteroffensive. They were striking targets such as weapons depots, command centers, and armored and artillery systems in order to create favorable conditions for advancing forces.

It is worth noting that Ukraine's counteroffensive in the spring of 2022 in the southern and northeastern parts of the country was preceded by air attacks that aimed to shape the battlefield.

According to CNN, the senior US military official mentioned that the shaping operations preceding the planned offensive could potentially span several days.

Based on assessments from Western officials, it is estimated that a significant number of Russian troops, ranging from 20,000 to 30,000, have been either killed or injured in Bakhmut. Ukraine's military has also suffered significant losses.

Russia's defense ministry stated that it successfully repelled multiple Ukrainian attacks throughout Thursday. They also reported an ongoing battle near Malynivka in eastern Donetsk, involving both air and artillery forces.

Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on February 24th of the previous year, the conflict has resulted in the deaths or injuries of numerous civilians and combatants. Cities and towns have been ravaged by the fighting, and approximately 8.2 million Ukrainians have been registered as refugees in Europe, with 2.8 million of them seeking refuge in Russia.