During a secret visit by CIA Director William Burns to Ukraine in early June, Ukrainian officials revealed an ambitious strategy to take back Russian-occupied territory, The Wall Street Journal writes, citing officials familiar with the visit.

Burns' previously unreported trip included meetings with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior Ukrainian intelligence officials. The visit took place at a critical period in the conflict, when Ukrainian troops were trying to gain an advantage in the counteroffensive.

The purpose of the visit was to confirm the readiness of the Biden administration to exchange intelligence information that would help Ukraine defend itself, a US official said.