Attack on Kharkiv: Ukrainian army claims to have tripled the area it has retaken

• Ukraine’s military claims that following a quick counteroffensive in the east of the country, its soldiers had retaken nearly 3,000 sq km (1,158 sq miles).
• If the impressive advance is true, Kyiv’s soldiers will have tripled their claimed gains in just over 48 hours.
• Ukrainian troops entered the crucial Russian-held supply towns of Izyum and Kupiansk during the eastern counterattack.

Ukraine’s military claims that following a quick counteroffensive in the east of the country, its soldiers had retaken nearly 3,000 sq km (1,158 sq miles).

If the impressive advance is true, Kyiv’s soldiers will have tripled their claimed gains in just over 48 hours.

1000 sq km was the initial estimate made by President Zelensky, and 2,000 sq km was made on Saturday night.

Ukrainian troops entered the crucial Russian-held supply towns of Izyum and Kupiansk during the eastern counterattack.

However, violence has persisted outside of those towns, according to UK defence officials. A handful of communities near Izyum are still in Ukrainian forces’ control, according to officials in Kyiv.

The Russian defence ministry confirmed that its forces had left Kupiansk and Izyum, saying that this would let them to “regroup” in areas controlled by separatists backed by Moscow.

Additionally, the Russian ministry acknowledged the removal of forces from Balaklyia, a third significant town, in order to “bolster efforts” on the Donetsk front. On Friday, Ukrainian forces entered the town.

At the same time, the leader of the Russia-installed government in Kharkiv suggested that its citizens leave for Russia in order to “save lives.”

Unverified social media video appeared to show long traffic lines forming at border crossings.

Additionally, the Russian border region of Belgorod’s governor announced that those waiting in line will have access to mobile food, heating, and medical care.

The speed of the counterattack caught the Russians off guard, and Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Chechnya and a fervent Putin supporter, seemed to question the Russian retreat.

In a statement shared on Telegram, Mr. Kadyrov warned that if the situation in Russia did not improve, he would be compelled to confront the government for an explanation.

However, Russians still control about 5% of the nation, and few people think that the war will finish quickly. In addition, Mr. Kadyrov vowed that “Russia will triumph” and that “Nato weapons” would be “crushed.”

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