Counterattack Has Been Successful in Recent Days, Ukraine Wants to Liberate All Russian-occupied Territories

JAKARTA - Ukraine is setting its sights on liberating all territory occupied by invading Russian forces, after driving them back in a swift counter-offensive in the northeast, while there are indications more US military aid is on its way to support the Ukrainian mission.

In an evening address, President Volodymyr Zelensky said some 8.000 sq km (3.100 sq mi) had been cleared so far, apparently all in the northeastern region of Kharkiv.

"Stabilization measures have been completed in about half of the region," President Zelensky said.

"And across liberated areas of roughly the same size, stabilization measures are still ongoing."

The total area cited by Zelenskiy is roughly the size of the Greek island of Crete. Reuters could not immediately verify the full scope of battlefield successes claimed by Ukraine.

Since Moscow abandoned its main bastion in the northeast on Saturday, marking its worst defeat since the war's early days, Ukrainian forces have retaken dozens of towns in a stunning shift in battlefield momentum.

Separately, speaking in the central square of Balakliia, a key military supply hub taken by Ukrainian forces last weekend, Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said 150.000 people had been released from Russian control in the area.

The Ukrainian flag has been flown and a large crowd has gathered to receive the humanitarian aid package. A shopping center has been demolished but many buildings remain intact, with shops closed and closed.

"The goal is to liberate the Kharkiv region and its surroundings, all the territories occupied by the Russian Federation," Malyar said on the road to Balakliia, which is 74 km (46 miles) southeast of Kharkiv.

In Washington, the White House said the United States was likely to announce a new military aid package for Ukraine in the "coming days".

Russian troops have left defensive positions, particularly in and around Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, a US spokesman said.

It said Russian forces still control about a fifth of Ukraine's south and east, but Kyiv is now on the offensive in both areas.

With Russian troops under pressure, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Scholz called on Putin to find a diplomatic solution as soon as possible, based on a ceasefire, full withdrawal of Russian troops, and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, a German government spokesman said.