Russian troops in big retreat as Ukraine offensive advances in Kharkiv – Politico September 10, 2022

I saw this recently on Politico – Russian troops in big retreat as Ukraine offensive advances in Kharkiv – Politico September 10, 2022: https://www.politico.eu/article/russian-forces-in-full-retreat-as-ukraine-seeks-to-turn-tide-of-war/. Longer article.

BY SERGEI KUZNETSOV September 10, 2022

Vladimir Putin remained silent on the retreat — and spent Saturday inaugurating a Ferris wheel.

Russia’s front line troops have fled their positions in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region as Ukrainian soldiers on Saturday forged ahead with a blitzkrieg to liberate occupied territories.

Over the past days, Ukrainian troops have made unexpectedly rapid gains in a counteroffensive to the east of the city of Kharkiv, attacking key strategic towns such as Balakliia, Kupiansk and Izyum, which are vital to supply and logistics for Russian forces based in the the eastern Donbas region. After several weeks in which the conflict appeared to be heading for a stalemate over winter, the NATO-armed Ukrainians are now seeking to seize the momentum, with a two-pronged attack in Kharkiv to the east and Kherson to the south.

Russia’s defense ministry sought to put a brave face on the Ukrainian successes in Kharkiv and suggested the Russian retreat conformed with the goals of President Vladimir Putin’s notorious “special military operation.”

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