Russia has said that its forces thwarted a major Ukrainian offensive at five points along the front in the southern Ukrainian region of Donetsk.<br />''<br />''They claimed to have killed 250 troops and destroyed 16 tanks. Russia's defence ministry released a video of what it said showed several Ukrainian armoured vehicles in a field blowing up after being hit.<br />''<br />''Russia said Ukraine had attacked with six mechanised and two tank battalions yesterday morning.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, it is still unclear whether or not the reported attack represented the start of a Ukrainian counteroffensive which it has been promising since months. There has been no comment from Ukraine as it called for a silence.</span><br />