THE Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the Ukraine a big one has started attack on the Russian army but the Ukrainian forces failed in their objectives despite heavy fighting over the past three days.

“We can say with certainty that this attack has begun. This is evidenced by the fact that the strategic reserves of the Ukrainian army are being used,” Putin told Russian journalists in Sochi. “The Ukrainian army did not achieve its goals in any area.”

Putin said that the fighting has been very intense for the past three days but that “the enemy has not been successful” in any of the battles.

Russia said earlier today that it had repelled heavy Ukrainian attacks on its territories Zaporizhia and his Donetskkilling at least 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers and destroying dozens of tanks and armored vehicles.

“The armed forces of Ukraine continued efforts to conduct offensive operations in the directions of southern Donetsk and Zaporizhia”the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukrainian forces attacked Russian lines four times with two battalions and supported by tanks south of Velika Novosilka in Donetsk, but were repulsed.

Russian forces also repelled two attacks south of the city Orihiv in the Zaporizhia region, the ministry said.

THE Russia said that the Ukraine lost about 1,200 men, about 40 tanks and several aircraft, including a MiG-29 and a Su-25 in the last 24 hours.

Russia, which yesterday Thursday said that Ukraine had lost 3,715 men in three days, did not provide data on its own losses.

Reuters could not independently confirm casualty accounts for either side on the battlefield.