Beaten Back By Ukrainian Troops In Kharkiv, Russian Army Leave Fort Defense

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Source: president.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - Ukrainian troops continue to push north in the Kharkiv region, as well as advance south and east, Ukrainian military commanders said on Sunday, a day after they made Russian troops leave their main strongholds in the area.

President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Ukraine's progress in northeastern Kharkiv province as a potential breakthrough in a six-month war, saying this winter could sooner seize many regions if Kyiv could get stronger weapons.

"In progress in Kharkiv, we are starting to advance not only south and east, but also north. There are 50 km to go to national borders (with Russia)," said Ukrainian chief commander General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi on Telegram.

Further explained, the country's armed forces have regained control of more than 3,000 square km (1,158 square miles) since earlier this month.

Meanwhile, in Moscow, Russia's Defense Ministry said on Sunday that Russian troops attacked the position of Ukrainian troops in the Kharkiv region with precision strikes carried out by air forces, missiles, and artillery.

The setback from Izium City marked the worst defeat of Russian troops since they were pushed back from the capital Kyiv in March, as thousands of Russian troops left ammunition and equipment as they fled.

Illustration of Ukrainian Army. (Wikimedia Commons/Mary Vass)

The gains are politically important to President Zelensky, as he strives to keep Europe united behind Ukraine, supplying weapons and money, even as the energy crisis overshadows this winter, following cutting Russian gas supplies to European customers.

"I believe this winter is a turning point, and it could lead to the rapid occupation of Ukraine," President Zelensky said in his comments on a political forum published on his website on Saturday night.

"We saw how they (the invaders) fled in several directions. If we were a little stronger with weapons, we would move forward more quickly," he said.

Ukrainian officials did not immediately confirm that they had recaptured Izumi, but President Zelensky's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, uploaded photos of troops on the outskirts and tweeted a wine emoji. The city name means 'raisins.'

Separately, Kyiv-based military analyst Zhdanov said the profits could pave the way for further push into the Luhansk region, which Russia claims in early July.

"If you look at the map, it's logical to assume that the attack will expand towards Svatove, Starobelsk and Sievariododonetsk, Lysychansk. These are two promising directions," he explained.

Meanwhile, Britain's Ministry of Defense said on Sunday Ukrainian forces had continued to make profits in Kharkiv's territory over the past 24 hours.

However, fighting continues around Izuum and the city of Kupiansk, the only center of the railway that supplies the Russian frontline across northeastern Ukraine, which has been recaptured by Ukrainian forces.

As the war entered its 200th day, Ukraine reported more Russian missiles and airstrikes overnight, with regional officials reporting Russia's heavy shootings in the east and south.

East Donetsk Provincial Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said on Telegram that 10 civilians died overnight. Farther south, nine people were injured in Mykolaiv City, the mayor said.

Reuters was unable to independently confirm battlefield accounts.