Ukraine reclaims more territory from Russian forces
Ukraine has reclaimed the key village of Davydov Brid in the southern region of Kherson amid reports of several other nearby villages being recaptured.
According to President Zelensky, the villages of Lyubimivka, Khreshchenivka, Zolota Balka, Bilyaivka, Ukrainka, Velyka Oleksandrivka, and Mala Oleksandrivka have also been liberated.
“The Ukrainian flag flies again over the village of Davydov Brid,” Ukraine’s defense ministry proclaimed on social media.
Ukraine’s deputy interior minister Yevhen Enin said 50 towns and villages had been recaptured, and some 3,500 citizens have been freed in Kherson but did not say over what period this has happened.
Russia still controls Kherson city, the regional capital, in the south. But its grip is looking increasingly shaky on the entire area north of the River Dnieper, known as Dnipro in Ukrainian.
In the past 48 hours, Ukrainian forces have pushed south along the west bank of the river, and Russian units have now been forced to pull back from several settlements in the north of the Kherson region too.
Mr. Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had made “fast, powerful movements” in southern Ukraine and liberated “dozens of settlements” this week alone.
Russian forces have also been forced to surrender in Ukraine’s northeast. They are being sent back to the south as well.
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Meanwhile, U.S President Joe Biden spoke with Mr. Zelensky on Tuesday and assured him the US would never recognize Russian annexation.
They also discussed $625m (£550m) of US aid, including Himars rocket launchers.
The Russian government has so far mobilized not less than 200,000 troops since President Putin gave the order last month.
According to Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, the initial target of the “partial mobilization” is 300,000, but the recruitment drive has been overshadowed by stories of Russians trying to escape the draft.
Reports say more than 200,000 Russians have crossed Kazakhstan’s borders in the past two weeks.
Samuel Omowumi Racheal
