Russian troops have withdrawn from most of the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine after a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive, according to a map made public on Sunday by the Russian Ministry of Defence.
It has been confirmed that Russian troops have withdrawn to behind the rivers Oskil and Severski Donets. The withdrawal was not commented on by Russian authorities.
Earlier it claimed it was pulling back its troops “regroup” to strengthen the Donetsk front.
At the beginning of this week, the Russian army still controlled about a third of the Kharkiv region.
A tactical Ukrainian disinformation campaign on a southern counteroffensive was successful in diverting Russian military resources away from the northeastern front line in the Kharkiv region.
The Kharkiv counteroffensive has now liberated up to 40 villages, claims the Kyiv Independent. Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov commented to local media outlet that the actual number of recaptured settlements is higher, but “we cannot announce this number.”
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov opened the door on state television to resume negotiations with Ukraine.
“Russia is not rejecting negotiations with Ukraine, but the longer the process is delayed, the more difficult it will be to reach an agreement,” Lavrov said.
Negotiations ended months ago. Russia is demanding, among other things, that Ukraine does not become a NATO member and that it cedes the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk to the Russian Federation.
