<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Ukraine's military says it has had success on one of the front lines in southeast Ukraine, as Western officials talk of a major thrust taking place.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a video published by President Zelensky, Ukrainian troops said they had taken the village of Staromaiorske.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier, Ukraine's military said it was "solidifying positions" it had reached in the same area, east of the city of Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine has not confirmed that it has beefed up its counter-offensive.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine's attacks had "significantly" intensified.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He told reporters in St Petersburg they had had no success: "All counter-offensive attempts were stopped, and the enemy was pushed back with high casualties."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Russian-backed militia leader Aleksandr Khodakovsky contradicted Mr Putin, saying Ukraine had methodically shelled Staromaiorske for several days and made gains, holding on to the outskirts and pushing on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Russian military blogger WarGonzo said the news was disturbing as Staromaiorske was a key Russian outpost on the front line in the south-eastern region of Zaporizhzhia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Russia's war bloggers are considered an alternative source of information from the front line in the absence of official accounts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ukraine's counter-offensive began on a number of fronts last month but has seen very few clear gains so far. Kyiv's generals have warned that fast results are almost impossible because of Russia's fortified defensive lines and rows of minefields.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The man in charge of operations in the south, Gen Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, has told the BBC that "any defence can be broken but you need patience, time and skilful action". BBC</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>