Ukrainian forces have had "successes" in three areas of the Russian-occupied region of Kherson, a Ukrainian regional official said on Wednesday, two days after Kyiv announced the start of a southern counter-offensive to retake territory.

Yuriy Sobolevskyi, the deputy head of Kherson's regional council, told Ukraine's national news broadcaster that Ukrainian troops had enjoyed successes in the Kherson, Beryslav, and Kakhovka districts but declined to give details.

But Russian defense ministry on Wednesday said Ukraine's attempts to mount a counter-offensive in the south of the country had failed with heavy losses in equipment and men.

(With input from Reuters)