Ukraine's much-anticipated counteroffensive appears imminent - and the way each side is preparing speaks volumes about their readiness, reported from CNN.

"Kyiv’s frontlines are abuzz with vehicle movement and artillery strikes, with regular explosions hitting vital Russian targets in occupied areas.

"Its defense minister has said preparations are 'coming to an end' and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has assured a counteroffensive 'will happen,' while demurring on any exact start date.

"It may have already started; it may be weeks away. We don’t know - and that fact is a strong measure of Ukraine’s success as this begins," CNN said.

"That has happened, with vast trench defense networks that can be seen from space. That recognition of their enormity is not necessarily a compliment in 2023. They are big, yes, but they are also something anyone can peruse on Google. That’s not great in an era of precise rockets and speedy armored advances.

"But it's the last 72 hours that have perhaps most betrayed Russia's lacking readiness," it added.

www.anews.az