Russia says Ukraine has launched a "counter-attack" in the western border region of Kursk, where Kiev's forces launched a striking ground offensive last August.
It is unclear how far Ukraine has advanced in the region, but pro-Kremlin military bloggers reported earlier that a powerful new offensive was underway.
The offensive comes at a critical time in the nearly three-year-old conflict, with both sides seeking to strengthen their negotiating positions ahead of Donald Trump's return to the White House on January 20.
The Ukrainian army has not commented on the operation, saying in its daily report only that fighting was taking place in the Kursk region, without giving further details.
Pro-Kremlin military bloggers acknowledged that the Russian army was under pressure, but pointed out that Moscow was fighting back. | BGNES
