Ukraine flag.Photo: Aleksandr Gusev/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
Ukrainian forces regained control over the city of Izium on Saturday, pointing to a possible major turning point in theRussian invasion of the country,The New York Timesreported.
“Izium was liberated today,” Valeriy Marchenko, the city’s mayor, said in an interview, perthe Times. Marchenko also noted that the police and emergency services were working to clear the region so that residents could return.
“Russians escaped and left weapons and ammo behind,” a spokesperson for the Bohun Brigade of the Land Forces of Ukraine said in a statement, perCNN. “City center is free.”
The Russian invasion of Ukraine.ANDREY BORODULIN/AFP via Getty
A few days earlier, Ukranian troops regained control of the town of Kupiansk, 30 miles to the north of Izium, the outlet reported.
Sharing the good news onTelegram, Ukraine’s Security Service posted photos showing members of the special forces in Kupiansk. “We will free our land to the last centimeter!” the caption read. “Let’s go further! Glory to Ukraine!”
“Actions to check and secure the territory continue,” he said in the address, perthe Times. “We are gradually taking control of new settlements.”
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On Tuesday, newly declassified intelligence from the American government revealed Russia ispurchasing “millions” of artillery shells, rockets and ammunitionfrom North Korea.
“We do have indications that Russia has approached North Korea to request ammunition,” said Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder in apress conferenceat the White House.
Ryder continued, “I’m not able to provide any more detail than that at this point in time, but it does demonstrate and is indicative of the situation that Russia finds itself in terms of its logistics and sustainment capabilities as it relates to Ukraine.”
Tuesday’s news is the first outcome supporting the idea that sanctions are making a dent in the country since Russia launched its forces in a large-scale invasion on Feb. 24.
Broad economic sanctions, which were also imposed on Russia, have not affected the country as expected. Due to the invasion, energy prices have filled its treasury and strengthened its economy,the Timesreported.
In addition, sanctions against individual Russian oligarchs have also been unsuccessful in taming Putin.
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With NATO forces massing in the region around Ukraine, various countries have also pledged aid or military support to the resistance. Zelenskyy called for peace talks — so far unsuccessful — while urging his country to fight back.
Putin insists Ukraine has historic ties to Russia and he is acting in the best security interests of his country. Zelenskyy vowed not to bend.
“Nobody is going to break us, we’re strong, we’re Ukrainians,“he told the European Unionin a speech in the early days of the fighting, adding, “Life will win over death. And light will win over darkness.”
source: people.com
