A surge in fighting on Ukraine’s southern front is fueling speculation that the long-awaited Ukrainian counteroffensive to try to turn the tide of the war is underway.

To avoid a nuclear disaster, the nuclear watchdog’s chief has sought access for months to the Zaporizhzhia plant, which Russian forces have occupied and Ukrainian workers have operated since the early days of the 6-month-old war.

There were conflicting reports Friday on the extent of the damage to a transmission line at the complex —Europe’s largest nuclear plant — that caused a blackout across the region on Thursday.

The complex, Europe’s largest nuclear plant, has been occupied by Russian forces and run by Ukrainian workers since the early days of the 6-month-old war.

Ukraine had been bracing for strikes in the capital and other major cities on Wednesday, which was also the six-month anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

Meanwhile, in a holiday message to the country, President Volodymyr Zelensky exults over the nation’s success in fending off Moscow’s forces.

The United States reinforced the worry with a security alert, insisting it “has information that Russia is stepping up efforts to launch strikes against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and government facilities in the coming days.”

Ukrainian officials and activists paint a picture that contrasts sharply with the Russian TV portrayal of a bright future for the occupied territories under Moscow’s generous care.