KYIV: Ukrainian troops advanced further into the northeastern region of the country, reclaiming the town of Vovchansk, 3 kilometers from the Russian border, that Moscow’s forces had seized on the first day of their invasion nearly seven months ago.
The Kyiv government exulted in its sudden success, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying late Monday that in the last few weeks its forces had retaken more than 6,000 square kilometers.
“The movement of our troops continues,” he said.
Ukrainian troops hoisted the country’s blue-and-yellow flags and officials released video of soldiers burning Russian flags and inspecting the charred tanks Russian troops left behind as they retreated. Border guards tore down a poster that read, “We are one people with Russia.”
U.S. officials Tuesday confirmed the Russian retreat.
“I think what you’re seeing is a shift in momentum,” National Security Council coordinator John Kirby told reporters at the White House.
“In the north, we have seen Russians evacuate, withdraw, retreat from their defensive positions, particularly there in and around the Kharkiv oblast,” he said. “They have left fighting positions. They have left supplies.”
But Kirby also sounded a note of caution.
“These are some dramatic events we’re watching but it’s war and war is unpredictable,” he said. “It remains to be seen what [Russia’s] next steps are going to be here as the Ukrainians remain on the offense up in the north and continue to pursue a counteroffensive down in the south.”
(VOA)
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