As counter-operations continue by Ukrainian forces in the east for several days to drive out Russian forces, the UK Ministry of Defense confirmed on Sunday that Kyiv is continuing to make gains.
In a brief daily briefing posted on its Twitter account, the ministry explained that Ukrainian forces have made significant gains in Kharkiv in the past 24 hours, while Russia has withdrawn its forces from the region.
However, it indicated that the fighting continued in the cities of Izium and Kobyansk.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Saturday night that his forces had recaptured about 30 towns and villages in the Kharkiv region, in the country’s northeast, as part of a counteroffensive.
It came after Russian forces suddenly abandoned Kobyansk, their main base in northeastern Ukraine, yesterday in a sudden collapse of one of the main front lines.
Moscow’s announcement and Kyiv’s claim that its forces had entered the city of Kobyansk are two major developments on the ground in the war in eastern Ukraine, which has tipped the balance in favor of the Russians for months.
According to Reuters, while observers expected Ukrainian forces to announce new victories in the Kharkiv region bordering Russia, which the Russian army had controlled for several months.
In the case of Izium, there is no official confirmation that Ukrainian forces have defeated Russian forces from that city, which numbered around 45,000 before the start of the conflict, which is of great importance to Russian military operations.
Notably, control of urban centers such as Kobyansk and Izium may be a major blow to Russia’s ability to deliver equipment to its front-line positions in the east, greatly reducing Russian control over eastern Ukraine after significant advances. by Moscow last spring, before its progress slowed this summer amid major international support for Kyiv with advanced equipment and weapons.
Source: Lebanon Debate
