Ukraine's counteroffensive: How will Putin react?

Synopsis

Ukraine's long-awaited counter-offensive has commenced, with Ukrainian forces reporting gains in territory against Russian occupation in the south and east. They utilize Western-supplied weapons, including leopard tanks, to liberate contested villages. Experts note that while progress is being made, the situation remains complex, with Russian military bloggers indicating that some areas are still under contention. The response from Russia may hinge on internal power struggles within its military leadership and the determination of Ukraine's allies, many of whom are participating in NATO's largest air exercise to date. NATO's Secretary General expresses cautious optimism about Ukraine's progress, acknowledging that the counter-offensive is not a rapid, large-scale assault but rather a series of smaller operations aimed at probing Russian defenses.