![A Ukrainian soldier assesses an abandoned Russian tank near a village in Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GNSYZC5OHBDAXIT7F7Q6ERNWAY?smart=true&auth=d263826668ebacc00237eba61c406dff7c0a94158d43a7a5dc086b1fffb8f42c&width=400&height=225)
A Ukrainian soldier assesses an abandoned Russian tank near a village in Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine. AFP
A Ukrainian soldier assesses an abandoned Russian tank near a village in Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine. AFP
Western tanks head into battle for Ukrainian counter-offensive
Kyiv has maintained a strict silence about the long-anticipated operation