Western defense officials and analysts say Ukrainian forces have punched through Russian front lines south of the country's second-largest city, taking thousands of square miles of territory and threatening to cut off Russian supply lines.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an exclusive interview with ABC "World News Tonight" anchor David Muir in Kyiv, is accusing the Russian military of using the massive Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant as a "weapon" in Moscow's invasion.Russia's Defense Ministry said Saturday that it is pulling back forces from two areas in Ukraine's Kharkiv region where a Ukrainian counter offensive has made significant advances in the past week.
The reports followed several days of apparent advances by Ukraine south of Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city, in what could become the biggest battlefield success for Ukrainian forces since they thwarted a Russian attempt to seize the capital of Kyiv at the start of the nearly seven-month war.
Earlier Saturday, the British Defense Ministry told reporters it believed the Ukrainians had advanced as much as 50 kilometers south of Kharkiv, and described Russian forces around Izyum as "increasingly isolated." Moscow did not immediately acknowledge or comment on the claims by Ukraine and its Western allies. However, Vladislav Sokolov, the head of the Russian-appointed local administration, said on social media that authorities in Izyum have started evacuating residents to Russia.
The Ukrainian military was more circumspect about the reported gains, claiming in its regular update Saturday to have taken "more than 1,000 square kilometers" from pro-Kremlin forces this week. It said "in some areas, units of the Defense Forces have penetrated the enemy's defenses to a depth of 50 kilometers," matching the British assessment, but did not disclose geographical details.
He spoke after the Ukrainian governor of Kharkiv reported that the national flag had been raised over Balakliia, a town recaptured by Ukrainian troops on Thursday following six months of Russian occupation.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine-Russia War: Ukraine president says surprise offensive frees 30 towns from Russian controlUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims a surprise offensive has already freed 30 towns and villages from Russian control.
Read more »
PolitiFact - Despite Putin’s claim, Russia has lost plenty in Ukraine invasionRussian President Vladimir Putin said in a speech his country had lost nothing by invading Ukraine in February. The country has lost thousands of lives, military equipment and brainpower. It is also mired in an economic struggle.
Read more »
Russia taken by surprise as Ukraine counterattack advances 30 miles: U.K.Britain's Ministry of Defense said that Russia's defensive front 'is under pressure.'
Read more »
Russia 'taken by surprise' as Ukraine advances in the eastRussia's Defense Ministry says it's pulling back troops from key areas in Ukraine's Kharkiv region.
Read more »
PolitiFact - No evidence Russia is withdrawing from Ukraine, as this Facebook post claimsA Facebook post claimed Russia was withdrawing from Ukraine. That's not true. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently announced his troops will continue to push farther into the country.
Read more »