Following successful recaptures of more than 20 towns and villages earlier this week, Ukraine held on to the momentum that has led to huge territorial gains, as they put relentless pressure on retreating Russian troops.
Fresh Ukrainian flags rise out from the tallest buildings around Kharkiv, in partly destroyed towns and villages. Kharkiv was also the key hub for Russian flanks and launchpads in east Ukraine, and was captured by Russian troops since the beginning of the invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his Monday nightly address that since the beginning of September until now, Ukrainian soldiers have managed to liberate territory of more than 6000 square kilometers, as their forward movement continues.
British Intelligence pointed out that the 1st Guards Tank Army which is one of Russia’s premier forces, during the invasion had been intensely degraded and that Russia’s conventional counterforce for NATO has weakened, which means it will take Russia years to rebuild it.
Ukrainian intelligence said that Russian troops were surrendering in entire groups, and the count of prisoners of war had become so high that the space to accommodate them is getting lessened.
Russian troops retreating from the city of Izium said that it was NATO who attacked them and not Ukraine, and that the Ukrainian blitz is backed by weapons and fighters from the west.
It can still not be said if this momentum from Ukraine shows to be a turning point in the war, as momentum has switched sides before.Â
