Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced on Friday that Ukrainian forces had retaken 30 localities from Russian troops in the northeast of the country, where Moscow sent in reinforcements to face the offensive.
Ukraine had already declared that it had taken over 20 localities the day before.
“At present, the Ukrainian armed forces have liberated and taken control of more than 30 localities in the Kharkiv region,” bordering Russia, President Zelensky said in a video posted on social networks.
“We are gradually taking control of new localities,” he added. “We are bringing back the Ukrainian flag everywhere and protection to our citizens.”
As a result, the Russian army sent reinforcements to the Kharkiv region. Russian state media showed footage of military vehicles emblazoned with the letter “Z” – a symbol of the Russian invasion – on their way the area.
A Russian parliamentarian said heavy fighting was taking place around the town of Balaklia, which Ukraine said on Thursday it had regained control of.
“We have no control in Balaklia,” the Russian legislator said. “We are trying to force out the Ukrainian troops, but the fighting is fierce, and our men are being pushed back.”
Russian reservists were also sent to Nalaklia.
