Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov did not comment on the message about the start of the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

According to the Kremlin spokesman, this issue is related to the course of the special operation, and the Ministry of Defense has the prerogative in it.

“You saw today's statement of the department (Ministry of Defense. - Gazeta.Ru). I have nothing to add to this," Peskov said.

Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that on June 4, the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched a large-scale offensive in five sectors of the front in the South Donetsk direction, but the Ukrainian army was not successful. According to the department, the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine began with the introduction of the 23rd and 31st mechanized brigades from the strategic reserves of the army into battle with the support of other military units and subunits. In total, six mechanized and two tank battalions were involved.

On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he had decided to conduct a military special operation in Ukraine in response to a request for help from the heads of the LPR and DPR.

The decision to conduct the operation was the reason for new sanctions against Russia by the United States and its allies.

Gazeta.Ru follows the chronicle of events.