KYIV—Russia reported heavy fighting along the front in southern Ukraine on Friday.
With virtually no independent reporting from the front lines, it was impossible to assess whether Ukraine was having success in penetrating Russian defences to drive out Russian forces.
The counteroffensive is ultimately expected to involve thousands of Ukrainian troops trained and equipped by the West. Russia, which has had months to prepare its defensive lines, says it has repelled attacks since the start of the week. Kyiv has so far claimed its main effort has yet to begin.
Moscow reported intense battles on Friday on the Zaporizhzhia front near the city of Orikhiv, around the mid-point of the “land bridge” linking Russia to the Crimea peninsula, seen as one of Ukraine’s likeliest targets….