Russia loses key northeast towns, Ukrainian troops advance

Kyiv: Russia has lost control over northeastern Ukraine and abandoned the bastion on Saturday. Ukrainian forces advanced quickly in the region and caused Moscow's front lines to collapse.

Kyiv took back Izium in Kharkiv province. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a video message said: "The Russian army these days is demonstrating its best ability - to show its back." Kyiv's army liberated around 2,000 sq km of territory in the last 10 days.

Russia has been using the area as its logistic base for the invasion. This is Russia's worst defeat since the war started in February. Thousands of Russian soldiers abandoned ammunition and weapons when they retreated quickly, reported Reuters.

The defence ministry said it has ordered troops to reinforce operations elsewhere in the neighbouring Donetsk. According to the state-run TASS news agency, the head of Russia's administration in Kharkiv told residents to evacuate the province and flee to Russia to "save lives." People leaving Russian-held territory caused traffic jams.

Ukrainian troops also shared images of retaking the city of Kupiansk farther north. It was the only railway hub supplying Russia's entire front line in northeastern Ukraine. The country's blue and yellow flags were raised in front of the city hall.

Ukraine's deputy defence minister, Hanna Malyar, urged people not to report prematurely that their towns have been taken back just because the troops have entered. Kyiv's forces have recaptured dozens of towns and villages in quick assaults. They have been covering dozens of kilometres in a day.