Ukraine Attacks Russian Defenses, Amid Rumors the Counteroffensive Has Begun.<br />On June 8, Ukrainian forces launched <br />an assault on Russian-held positions <br />in the south of Zaporizhzhia.<br />'The Guardian' reports that some officials in Ukraine <br />have said that the intense fighting marked the <br />beginning of Kyiv's anticipated counteroffensive.<br />Intense fighting, believed to include western-<br />supplied tanks, armored vehicles, infantry and <br />artillery, took place outside of the town of Tokmak. .<br />'The Guardian' reports that Ukrainian officials have <br />previously said that an official announcement would <br />not be made when the counteroffensive begins.<br />According to the Institute for the Study of War, , a U.S.-based thinktank closely following Russia's war against Ukraine, it is likely that the counteroffensive is underway.<br />Activity throughout Ukraine is consistent <br />with a variety of indicators that Ukrainian <br />counteroffensive operations <br />are under way across the theater, Institute for the Study of War, via Twitter.<br />The news comes following days of heavy shelling against <br />Russian defenses, with Ukrainian forces attempting to <br />block routes to the Russian-held city of Melitopol.<br />The news comes following days of heavy shelling against <br />Russian defenses, with Ukrainian forces attempting to <br />block routes to the Russian-held city of Melitopol.<br />The city of Tokmak is a major Russian logistical hub <br />that is both a major railway and the center of <br />communications between Mauripol, Berdyansk and Crimea.<br />The city of Tokmak is a major Russian logistical hub <br />that is both a major railway and the center of <br />communications between Mauripol, Berdyansk and Crimea.<br />'The Guardian' reports that the counteroffensive has long been <br />believed to be aimed at severing the Russian "land bridge" <br />that links Crimea with occupied parts of the south and east.<br />'The Guardian' reports that the counteroffensive has long been <br />believed to be aimed at severing the Russian "land bridge" <br />that links Crimea with occupied parts of the south and east