How Ukraine is taking Kharkiv back

When it invaded Ukraine in February, Russia seemed way more prepared for war as a major world power with a larger military. But lately, developments have begun to turn the tide in Ukraine’s favor. Foreign sanctions are reportedly starting to affect Russia’s weapon supply, the US and Europe are continuing to send aid to Ukraine, and its military has been seeing more success.

One successful military campaign getting a lot of hype right now is Ukraine’s Kharkiv counter-offensive. Kharkiv, a Ukrainian region under Russian occupation, is reportedly being retaken by Ukrainian troops. In a potential breakthrough in the war, Russia’s troops have retreated from two areas in Kharkiv “to regroup" in the Moscow-backed Donetsk region. The counter-offensive forced Russia to remove its troops so they wouldn’t be surrounded, making them leave behind tons of weapons and munitions as they retreated. As Ukrainian forces push north, south and east, they’ve regained control of more than 3,000 square kilometers since the start of September, according to Ukraine’s military chief, even cutting supplies to Russian units.

Key comments:

“We are gradually taking control over more settlements, returning the Ukrainian flag and protection for our people," Ukrainian President Zelenskiy said.

The Russian ministry said they’ve removed troops in Kharkiv to “bolster efforts" in the Donetsk region.

“A counter-offensive liberates territory and after that you have to control it and be ready to defend it. Of course, we have to be worried, this war has worried us for years," Ukraine’s defense minister Oleksii Reznikov told the Financial Times.