The Western officials confirms Ukraine's successful counteroffensive and predicts success

Ukraine's partners praise its capabilities in the recently launched counteroffensive on several fronts. The Ukrainian army managed to advance at least 7 kilometers and liberate at least four settlements.

This was reported by Sky News, citing anonymous Western officials.

"These are full-scale movements of armour and heavy equipment into the Russian security zone and going forwards. Progress is slow because of the minefields and the obstacles which they're coming across, but this is as we'd expect. They'll continue to make progress," the officials said.

The partners also note that it is too early to talk about the specific results of the counteroffensive, as it is "extremely early days" however they believe "momentum is with the Ukrainians."

Besides, it emphasizes the high level of defense capabilities of the Russian army, which has been actively strengthening its positions in the occupied territories of Ukraine. It also has an obvious advantage in resources - human and technical, including aviation and artillery.

"Russian forces have generally put up a good defence from their well-prepared, defended positions and had been falling back between tactical lines. This 'manoeuvre defence approach' is proving challenging for the Ukrainians and also costly to attacking forces," the officials said.

Despite the extremely difficult conditions, as of June 14, the Ukrainian defense forces continue to liberate Ukrainian settlements occupied by Russia pushing back the enemy at the Zaporizhzhia, Bakhmut, Berdiansk and Mariupol directions.

"Our troops are moving amid extremely fierce fighting, air and artillery superiority of the enemy. Fighting continues in the Berdiansk sector near Makarivka village. In the Mariupol sector, fighting continues in the areas of Novodanylivka and Novopokrovsk," Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Malyar noted in her Telegram.

To recap, the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched an offensive in various parts of the frontline on June 10. Advancing for short distances of about 300-500 meters, Ukrainian forces were able to liberate a number of settlements in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia directions.

Earlier, the Ukrainian side expressed the need for aircraft to provide air support for military operations during the counteroffensive, as required by NATO doctrine. However, the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine is still at the early stage.