Ukraine said it was forcing Russian forces out of Kharkiv, the country’s second largest city, but was meeting fierce resistance, as Washington predicted Vladimir Putin was prepared for a lengthy battle.

The US House of Representatives approved late Tuesday sending a $40 billion aid package to Ukraine, despite President Joe Biden’s warning that Ukraine will likely run out of funding to continue fighting within days.

After failing to conquer Kyiv, Russia has turned its attention to eastern Ukraine. Ukraine’s soldiers are battling to hang on in the Donbass region but have been bolstered by the recovery of four villages near Kharkiv to the north, according to Kyiv.

In his nighttime address on Tuesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he had received “excellent news” from Kharkiv.

“The occupiers are gradually being pushed away,” he said. “I am grateful to all our defenders who are holding the line and demonstrating truly superhuman strength to drive out the army of invaders.”

On Wednesday, Ukraine’s general staff of the armed forces stated on Facebook that “occupiers continue to focus their efforts on preventing the further advance of our troops towards the state border of Ukraine” from Kharkiv.

Oleg Synegubov, the head of the Kharkiv regional state administration, said four villages around the city – Cherkasy Tyshky, Rusky Tyshky, Rubizhne, and Bayrak – had been liberated, but “fierce battles” remained.

Despite the apparent gains, Zelensky warned Ukrainians against “moral pressure, when certain victories are expected weekly and even daily,” reflecting the grinding war now in its third month.

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