Today, the Ukrainian army denied the news published by NBC News that a counteroffensive against Russian forces had begun.

"We have no such information. And we do not comment on anonymous sources," the spokesman of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces told the British media.

Earlier, NBC News, citing an unnamed senior officer and soldier near the front lines, reported that the Ukrainian military had launched a long-awaited counteroffensive.

After several months of progress in the Ukrainian military campaign, which could prove to be decisive in Kiev's intentions to regain the occupied territory, a new wave of attacks is aimed at the southeastern front lines, reported NBC News.

The Ukrainian government has so far said there will be no public announcement of the start of the offensive, and a spokesman for the Ukrainian army has declined to comment on ongoing military operations.