Russia is “regrouping” its troops in Ukraine and therefore troops are being withdrawn from the towns of Izyum and Balaklia, both in the Kharkov region. They are going to the nearby Donetsk region. The Ministry of Defense has announced this, according to the Russian state news agency TASS.
According to Moscow, the move is necessary for the “liberation of the Donbas”, consisting of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. There is currently heavy fighting in Donetsk. The pro-Russian separatist leader in the area says the situation in the city of Lyman is “very difficult” and there is also fighting in other places, notably in northern Donetsk.
The announcement about the relocation of Russian military personnel comes hours after Ukrainian authorities said their troops had moved into the occupied city of Kupyansk. Located in Kharkiv, this city is of strategic importance as it is where railway tracks converge that are used by Russia to supply troops in northeastern Ukraine.
The Ukrainian army is making rapid advances in Kharkov. According to Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky, at least 30 places have been recaptured in recent days.