The recent Ukrainian offensive has resulted in the liberation of dozens of settlements and the capture of the strategically important city of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region. This would cut off supplies to Russian troops in large parts of the Donbass. There were also social media reports of the capture of the city of Izyum, one of the main bases of the occupiers. Now the Russian army has announced its withdrawal from Izyum and Balakliya. The Ministry of Defense in Moscow spoke of a “regrouping”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke Friday evening about more than 30 recaptured settlements in the Kharkiv region. “Everywhere we are bringing back the Ukrainian flag and protection for our people,” he said in his evening video address. “Fierce fighting” continued both in the Donbass in eastern Ukraine and in the south of the country, the president said. After more than half a year of war, Ukrainian forces have recently advanced in their counter-offensive in the Kharkov region and the Kherson region in the south.
Military expert Philipp Eder said in Ö1 “Mittagsjournal” that Ukraine’s successes were “important for morale”. However, it remains difficult to assign strategic importance to these tactical successes, according to the army brigade. When asked if the capture of Kuyansk could have been the turning point in the war, he said, “If it had, we’ll find out later.”
Observers were amazed at the rapid pace of the advance in Kharkiv, where the Ukrainian army reportedly advanced 50 kilometers in just three days. However, it was unclear whether this was a collapse of the Russian front or a tactical retreat. Russia’s defense ministry said on Saturday that the withdrawal is another step in what Russia has called the “liberation” of Ukraine’s Donbass region.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
