Ukraine counter-offensive actions have begun, Zelensky says

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky appears to have confirmed that Ukraine's long-awaited counter-offensive against Russia has started.

"Counteroffensive and defensive actions are taking place," he said on Saturday.

But he added that he would not talk in detail about which stage the counter-offensive was in.

Ukrainian troops have advanced in the east near Bakhmut and in the south near Zaporizhzhia, and have carried out long-range strikes on Russian targets.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a video interview published Friday that: "We can definitely state that this Ukrainian offensive has begun."

Speaking in Kyiv, after talks with the Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, Mr Zelensky described the Russian leader's words as "interesting".

"It is important that Russia always feels this: that they do not have long left, in my opinion," he said.

Ukraine's military commanders were in a positive mood, Mr Zelensky continued, adding: "Tell that to Putin."

The news conference followed an overnight Russian strike in which three people died and dozens were injured in the southern city of Odesa.

Falling debris from a shot-down Russian drone started a fire in a residential block in the Black Sea-port city, Ukrainian officials said.

A separate overnight Russian attack targeted an airfield in the central region of Poltava.

Ukraine's air force said the Odesa attack, which lasted six hours, involved eight land-based missiles and 35 drones, and that air defence units were able to shoot down 20 drones and two cruise missiles.

"As a result of the air fight, debris from one of the drones fell onto a high-rise apartment, causing a fire," Natalia Humeniuk, the southern military command's spokesperson, said.

Emergency services said 27 people, including three children, were wounded, and that the fire had been quickly put out. Twelve people were rescued from the building, they said.

Images showed an apartment building in Odesa heavily damaged, with debris covering rooms and windows blown out. Others showed a large crater on the ground.

An airfield in the central region of Poltava was also hit by a Russian attack early on Saturday, with the local governor saying it involved ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones. He said it caused damage to airfield infrastructure and equipment.

A 29-year-old was killed in a separate attack in the northeast Kharkiv region, officials said.

Meanwhile, fighting has escalated in recent days in the key southern Zaporizhzhia region, Russian officials say, with Ukraine forces reported to be trying to regain access to the Sea of Azov, which would split Russian forces.

Ukraine's hope of advances in the region, however, could be hindered by huge flooding in the south of the country after the Nova Khakovka dam was destroyed last week.

The flooding has covered around 230 square miles (596 sq km) either side of the Dnipro River.

Nato and Ukraine's military have accused Russia of blowing up the dam, while Russia has blamed Ukraine.