Ukrainian military hold drills with explosives and tanks near Belarus border

THE Ukrainian military hold drills with explosives and tanks near the border with Belarus. The simulated drills focused on urban warfare – one of the key elements in Ukraine’s planned counter-offensive against Russian forces. Soldiers practised fighting in an improvised settlement and and also provided first aid to simulated casualties under the watch of the commander of Ukraine’s Joint Forces, Serhiy Nayev. Scenarios included battlefield inoculation - which involves training under fire from real weapons - and hitting a tank with a grenade. The past week has seen Ukraine make its biggest gains on the battlefield since last November, recapturing several square kilometres of territory on the northern and southern outskirts of the battlefield city of Bakhmut. Moscow has acknowledged that some of its troops have retreated but denies that its battle lines are crumbling on the city’s flanks. Kyiv says those advances are localised and do not yet represent the full force of its upcoming counter-offensive, in which it plans to take advantage of hundreds of modern tanks and armoured vehicles sent by the West this year. The Sun newspaper brings you the latest breaking news videos and explainers from the UK and around the world Become a Sun Subscriber and hit the bell to be the first to know Read The Sun: Like The Sun on Facebook: Follow The Sun on Twitter: Subscribe to The Sun on Snapchat: #russia #ukraine