Zelensky hails ‘liberation’ of Ukraine areas

Ukrainian troops have continued to pile pressure on retreating Russian forces, seeking to hold on to their sudden momentum that has produced major territorial gains.

Flags fluttered from the tallest buildings left in partly destroyed towns around Ukraine’s second city, Kharkiv, while Ukrainian soldiers inspected charred Russian tanks left along the way.

“Our soldiers have already liberated more than 6,000 square kilometres of the territory of Ukraine,” said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in his nightly address late on Monday.

Many of the claims of military success could not be independently verified.

Rubbing salt into Russia’s wounds, British intelligence said that one of Moscow’s premier forces, the 1st Guards Tank Army, has been “severely degraded” during the invasion and that “Russia’s conventional force designed to counter Nato is severely weakened”.

They added: “It will likely take years for Russia to rebuild this capability.”

The retreat did not stop Russia from pounding Ukrainian positions, however. Yesterday, it shelled the city of Lozova in the Kharkiv region, killing three people and injuring nine, said regional governor Oleh Synyehubov.

The Nikopol area, across the Dnieper River from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, was shelled six times during the night but no injuries were immediately reported, said regional governor Valentyn Reznichenko.

Shelling has left Europe’s largest nuclear facility in a precarious position.

Mr Zelensky criticised Russia for targeting energy infrastructure in its attacks.

He said: “This is a sign of the desperation of those who contrived this war. This is how they react to the defeat of Russian forces in the Kharkiv region. They can’t do anything to our heroes on the battlefield.”

Ukrainian intelligence said Russian troops were surrendering en masse.

Russia acknowledged the setback with a map that showed its troops pressed back at the border with Russia – a tacit admission of big Ukrainian gains.

SUCCESS: Ukrainian soldiers on the road in the freed territory in the Kharkiv region.