Ukraine retakes territory in Kharkiv region as Russian front crumbles

Ukraine retakes territory in Kharkiv region as Russian front crumbles
# 09 September 2022 23:21 (UTC +04:00)

Ukrainian forces were seizing an expanding area of previously Russian-held territory in the east in a "very sharp and rapid" advance, a Russian-installed regional official said on Friday, in a breakthrough that may mark a turning point in the war, APA reports citing Reuters.

After keeping silent for a day, Russia effectively acknowledged that a section of its frontline had crumbled southeast of Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv.

"The enemy is being delayed as much as possible, but several settlements have already come under the control of Ukrainian armed formations," Vitaly Ganchev, head of the Russian-backed administration in the Kharkiv region, said on state television host Vladimir Solovyov's daily livestream.

Ganchev earlier said his administration was trying to evacuate civilians from cities including Izium, Russia's main stronghold and logistics base in the province near the front in eastern Ukraine.

Russia has taken control of around a fifth of Ukraine since starting its invasion in late February.

The Russian defence ministry released video of military vehicles speeding along a highway, saying they showed reinforcements rushing to defend the area. The Kremlin has declined to comment on the Ukrainian advance.

Ukrainian officials released a parade of videos showing soldiers raising flags and posing in front of street signs in villages and towns across part of previously Russian-held territory.

#
#

THE OPERATION IS BEING PERFORMED