Ukraine's military is reportedly preparing to begin a counteroffensive as early as next month to retake its territory controlled by Russia.

The commander of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces said on social media on Wednesday that he visited a front in the eastern stronghold of Bakhmut. Russia aims to take full control of the city.

He told soldiers, "The situation in Bakhmut is really difficult, but you know best what to do and how to act in the current situation."

Britain's defense ministry said on Wednesday that heavy, short-range combat continues in the western districts of Bakhmut. It added that Ukraine seeks to maintain control of its supply route.

A spokesperson for Ukraine's Operational Command South has stressed that the country's forces have destroyed artillery, tanks and anti-aircraft systems on the Russian-controlled eastern side of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region.

The announcement suggests Ukraine is cautiously proceeding with a major counteroffensive.

On Monday, the New York Times, in its electronic version, quoted US officials as saying Ukraine is preparing to launch a counteroffensive as early as next month.

It also said leaked Pentagon documents revealed that 12 Ukrainian combat brigades with about 50,000 soldiers are expected to be ready at the end of April. It added that the documents said the United States and NATO allies are training and supplying nine of those brigades.

The newspaper says the operation is likely to unfold in Ukraine's south, including along the coastline on the Sea of Azov, near Russian-annexed Crimea.

The General Staff of Ukraine's military says Russian forces are conducting defensive operations in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in the south.