OUR Ukrainian army recaptured “2,000 kilometers of territory” in September, Ukrainian president says Vladimir Zelensky noting that the Russian army “made the right choice” in escaping Ukraine’s counteroffensive in the northeast and south of the country.

“Currently, about 2,000 kilometers of land have been liberated since the beginning of September,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. “For the past few days, the Russian army has been showing us the best thing it has: its back. After all, the right choice for them is to run.”

Ukrainian forces have regained full control of the city of Balaklia, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hana Malyar said on Saturday, hours after Russia announced it was withdrawing its troops.

At the same time, the head of the administration of the Russian-occupied zones of the Kharkiv region, appointed by the occupying authorities, today advised all residents to move to Russian territory, to the Belgorod region, “to save lives.” ., according to the TASS agency.

Vitaly Gadchev added that “official representatives” are ready to provide refugees with food, heating and medical assistance in Russia, the Russian agency reports.

The Russian Defense Ministry said it was withdrawing Russian troops from Izyum and Balakliya, strategic supply hubs in the Kharkiv region, after Russian defense lines collapsed as Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale counteroffensive.

With information from APE/PE