Ukraine Launches Multi-Directional Offensive in the East.

Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister has announced that an offensive is "taking place in several directions," heightening speculation that a major push to recapture land held by Russia's occupying forces could be getting underway. Recent weeks have seen Ukraine's military stepping up shaping operations, which typically precede a major advance by ground forces. Both Ukraine and Russia have engaged in intense information campaigns to sway public opinion and mislead their opponents about their battle plans. Ukrainian President Zelensky has spent months courting Western allies to provide Kyiv with fighter jets and weapons to help control the skies and limit the number of casualties to Ukrainian fighters during any potential counteroffensive.