Ukraine reports 'heavy combat' after Putin says offensive has begun

Firefighters work at a site of residential area heavily damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Zviahel, Zhytomyr region, Ukraine, in this handout picture released June 9, 2023. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Zhytomyr region/Handout via REUTERS

KYIV (Reuters) -Moscow and Kyiv both reported heavy fighting in Ukraine on Friday, with bloggers describing the first sightings of German and U.S. armour, signalling that Ukraine's long-anticipated counterattack was under way.

With virtually no independent reporting from the front lines and Kyiv saying little, it was impossible to assess whether Ukraine was penetrating Russian defences in its bid to drive out occupying forces.