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June 22, 2023

Putin Claims Ukraine's Counteroffensive Hits "Lull" Due to Heavy Losses
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In Ukraine, an explosion has damaged a key bridge connecting the
Russian-occupied territory of Crimea to the Ukrainian mainland.
Russia-backed officials say the damage to the Chongar bridge appeared to
be caused by a long-range cruise missile of the kind supplied to Ukraine
by the U.K. and France. Elsewhere, Russia's military says it shot down
three drones outside Moscow that appeared to be targeting military
warehouses. At the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin said a
counteroffensive launched by Ukraine earlier this month has largely
stalled.

President Vladimir Putin: "As I've already said, as is well known, the
Ukrainian Armed Forces started the counteroffensive on June 4th using
their strategic reserves. Oddly enough, currently we're seeing a certain
lull. It has to do with the fact that the enemy is suffering serious
losses."



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