Despite Russian annexation, Ukraine is now reporting significant gains in the territory claimed by Russia. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian units recaptured numerous cities in the south and east of the country, such as here in the east of the Kharkov region (see video above).
“The Ukrainian army is advancing quite quickly in the south of the country. This is part of our current defense operation. Dozens of villages have already been liberated from this Russian pseudo-referendum, in Kherson, Kharkov, Luhansk and Donetsk alone,” the president said in his overnight video address.
Russian forces may now face a debacle in the formerly Russian-controlled Luhansk region, where Ukraine says it has recaptured territories. “The reconquest of the Luhansk region has (…) begun,” Ukrainian governor Serhiy Gajdaj told the Telegram courier service on Wednesday. Several settlements have already been “liberated” and the Ukrainian army has hoisted the Ukrainian flag there.
The regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia are claimed by Moscow, although they are only partially controlled by Russian forces. These recently had to withdraw in many places in the east and south of Ukraine, as even the Ministry of Defense in Moscow has to admit by publishing maps. According to British intelligence, Russia is having problems with the supply of its troops.
Putin confident despite setbacks
Meanwhile, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin signed the laws for the annexation of the four Ukrainian regions. This was preceded by mock referendums, which were condemned by the West as a violation of international law. Despite the military setbacks in the four regions, the Kremlin chief was confident. The situation is expected to stabilize soon, Putin said on Russian television.
In response to Russia’s annexation, EU countries agreed an eighth package of sanctions against Moscow. “We will never accept Putin’s mock referendums or any form of annexation in Ukraine,” tweeted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Military veteran: ‘Can’t win anymore’
Meanwhile, Putin also faces headwinds in his own country. The next military veteran, Vitaly Votanovsky, has now openly opposed the president. “This idiot has started a war against the whole world,” the former lieutenant colonel of the Russian Air Force told the Moscow Times web portal. “He created conditions under which we can no longer win.”
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.
