Ukrainian forces launch counterattacks outside Kyiv and Kherson.

The Ukrainian armed forces have launched counterattacks against Russian troops outside the capital, Kyiv, and in the Russian-occupied city of Kherson, according to a senior Ukrainian military official.

The goal of the operation, which began on Tuesday night and was continuing on Wednesday, was to inflict mass causalities on the Russian military, rather than to win back territory, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to reveal sensitive military information.

The operation involved attacks by Ukrainian artillery, fighter jets and tanks, the official said. Details of the offensive could not be fully confirmed independently. Satellite pictures from Tuesday show heavy black smoke above the Kherson airport, where the official said Ukrainian forces had targeted Russian military aircraft parked there.