As the Ukrainian counter-offensive is in full swing, Russia and Kiev are launching a barrage of attacks with British military intelligence however speaking of heavy casualties on both sides, while the Kremlin points out that it has recaptured a total of 8 villages in two weeks. At the same time, Russia is responding to the UN over the Nova Kakhovka dam, saying it refused aid due to security concerns and “other minor issues”.

And eighth district in the hands of the Ukrainians

Specifically, Ukraine’s deputy defense minister, Hanna Maliarmis, speaking in a post on Telegram, said that offensive operations in the direction of Berdiansk and Melitopol in the Zaporizhia region liberated the communities of Novodarivka, Levadne, Storozheve, Makarivka, Blahodatne, Lobkove, Neskuchne and Piatykhatky .

Meanwhile, Maliar said Ukrainian forces had advanced 7 kilometers (4 miles) into Russian-held territory in the southern Tavria sector, retaking an area spanning 113 square kilometers (44 square miles).

However, British military intelligence remains more cautious about the success of the Ukrainian counter-offensive, pointing out that the level of casualties among Russian troops is at its highest with Ukraine claiming 4,600 soldiers killed or wounded. On the other hand, however, the progress made by the Ukrainian forces both in the east and in the south of the country is slow.

At the same time, Russia’s defense ministry claimed that a Ukrainian stronghold was destroyed by a remote-controlled tank loaded with a huge amount of explosives, in what appears to be a new battlefield tactic on Russia’s part.

Also, Russian-backed authorities in the Donetsk region say a 6-year-old child was killed and about 20 people were injured when Ukrainians shelled the town of Volnovakha.

Swedish committee even warns against nuclear use

And while the fighting on the front continues, a special Swedish parliamentary defense committee said Sweden’s defense must focus on the threat posed by Russia and a military attack cannot be ruled out, Reuters reports.

The commission said the war in Ukraine could escalate into attacks in other countries or even with the use of nuclear weapons.

In the report, the all-party committee, which includes security experts, said: “Russia’s aggressive actions have led to a structural and greatly deteriorated security situation. Russia has lowered the bar for the use of military force and is showing a high-risk trend,” and Russia’s “ability to conduct operations with air and naval forces, long-range weapons, and nuclear weapons against Sweden remains intact,” the report said. report, according to Swedish public television.

The Kremlin’s response to the UN condemnation

The Kremlin, for its part, is responding to UN condemnation for denying access to humanitarian aid to the occupied territories affected by the collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam earlier this month.

“There are many issues there,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked why Moscow had refused United Nations help.

“Crossing the contact line (between Russian and Ukrainian forces) and guaranteeing security conditions — you know there’s constant shelling there, constant provocations, civilian targets are being bombed and people, people are dying,” he said.

“That’s why it’s very difficult there, it’s very difficult to provide security for them. And there are many other small issues,” he added.