Ukrainian officials released images on Saturday of troops raising the national flag over Kupyansk, a city that is home to a major rail hub through which Russian forces were supplied in northeastern Ukraine, News.ro reported, citing Reuters.

Nataliya Popova, adviser to the chairman of the Kharkiv Regional Council, shared photos of troops in front of the Kupyan City Hall on social networks with the following message: “Kupyansk is Ukraine. Glory to the armed forces of Ukraine.”

The soldiers hold the Ukrainian flag in their hands, and the Russian flag at their feet. Also, Ukrainian flags were hung on the building of the town hall, which can be seen behind.

The main railway junction, through which the supply of Russian troops in the north-east of Ukraine was carried out, was captured

The capture of the town, where rail lines leading to eastern Ukraine connect with a Russian highway, would be the most important victory this week since the collapse of the Russian front line near the city of Kharkiv.

Taking Kupyansk could leave thousands of Russian soldiers trapped on the front line and without supplies.

In recent days, Ukraine has gained a huge territory in the east of the country, the fastest progress since the Russian assault on the capital Kyiv in March.

• Read also: Catastrophic collapse of the Russian front in Kharkiv: invasion troops flee from Izyum and Liman / “We just fight as hard as we can”

In a video message sent at night, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that at least 30 settlements in Kharkiv region had been evacuated.

“Our military, intelligence units and security services are actively involved in several operational areas. They do it successfully,” he said.

• Read also: Counteroffensive in Kharkiv: Ukrainians repelled about 2.5 thousand km. territory area / Russian troops are about to enter the “raisin cauldron” / What is happening in Kherson

Moscow acknowledged that its front line in Kharkiv had given way, but said it was deploying additional troops to reinforce the area.

The head of the administration established by Russia in the occupied territories of the province called the offensive a Ukrainian victory and urged civilians to flee.

Until now, Ukraine has barred independent journalists from the region, but officials have released a wave of images of troops on the streets of cities formerly under Russian control as they are embraced by residents who have been under Russian military occupation for six months.

• Read also: Why the capture of Kupyansk would be a big blow for the Russian army

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