Russian soldiers attacked civilian infrastructure after suffering heavy casualties during counterattacks launched across the besieged country, Ukrainian officials said late Sunday. Retaliation by Russia — after losing significant territory in northeastern Ukraine — targeted water facilities and a thermal power plant in Kharkiv, knocking out the power grid in the region and causing a complete blackout, officials said. Volodymyr Zelensky said the aim of the Russian raids was to deprive citizens of light and heat. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the president, called it a “cowardly response” from Vladimir Putin’s retreating forces. It comes hours after Zelensky confirmed that Russia had been forced to abandon its main base in Kharkiv, a potential breakthrough he said showed Ukraine could win the war. “Today marks 200 days of our resistance,” he said in his nightly speech. “Our fight. Our people’s war. For freedom, for independence, for the right to be.”
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Zelensky praises Ukrainians for ‘brave stand’ against Russian troops as war passes 200 days
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised his countrymen for defending their country as the war with Russia entered its 200th day. In his nightly video address on Sunday night, Mr Zelensky thanked them for helping to destroy thousands of Russian tanks and hundreds of enemy aircraft. He added that he was “confident” that the Ukrainians would go through this “difficult road to victory”. Srivasti Dasgupta states:
Zelensky praises Ukrainians as war enters 200th day
Zelensky said he was “confident” that Ukrainians would go through this “difficult road to victory” Rory Sullivan September 12, 2022 10:00 am 1662972041
Ukrainian counterattacks ‘mean Russia can be defeated’, says defense minister
Ukraine’s destruction of Russian forces in the Kharkiv region is a “sign” that Moscow’s military can be defeated, Ukraine’s defense minister said. Speaking to the Financial Times, Oleksii Reznikov warned that his country must secure its newly liberated territory. But his counterattacks were going well, he said, comparing the army’s progress to a “snowball rolling down a hill.” “It’s a sign that Russia can be defeated,” he added. Rory Sullivan 12 September 2022 09:40 1662970841
Photos from the Russian attack on the Kharkiv power station
Russian raids caused a total blackout in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions yesterday. Ukraine said Moscow’s attacks came as “cowardly” retaliation for Ukraine’s success in recapturing 3,000 square kilometers (1,158 square miles) of territory near the city of Kharkiv. Here are some photos from the aftermath of the attack on the Ukrainian power supplies: Smoke rises over the western suburbs of Kharkiv after a Russian rocket attack on a power station. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Ukrainian firefighters put out a fire in the country’s second largest city. (AP) Rory Sullivan 12 September 2022 09:20 1662969641
Ukrainian army seizes Russian ammunition depots
With its lightning attack in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine has recaptured a section of territory. Photos on social media appear to show that Ukrainian troops are now in possession of large supplies of Russian ammunition, abandoned by fleeing soldiers. Ukraine’s security service released a photo of one of the arsenals, saying it will “definitely use them as intended – against the enemy.” Rory Sullivan September 12, 2022 09:00 1662968441
Moldova continues to ban flights to Russia
Moldova banned national airlines from continuing flights to Russia. Last week, the country’s civil aviation authority confirmed a directive restricting its airlines from flying into Russian airspac.e Air Moldova said it could go to court as it had planned to reopen flights to Russia on October 1. “Should this matter not be resolved with the Civil Aviation Authority, we reserve the right to go to court,” it said in a statement. Rory Sullivan 12 September 2022 08:40 1662967378
Kharkiv’s gains lead to ‘increased support’ for Ukraine in Europe, Zelensky aide says
Ukraine’s convincing advances on the battlefield have led to “increased support in Europe,” said an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Economist Alexander Rodnyansky told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that European countries should send more weapons to capitalize on Ukraine’s momentum. “We just have to keep going,” he said. “We are immediately liberating our country, which until recently many of the partners believed would be impossible.” The presidential aide added that Ukraine’s gains “boost the morale of our troops and depress the morale of the enemy.” “And that, ultimately, is what we want to be winners,” he said. Rory Sullivan 12 September 2022 08:22 1662966041
Former British army chief praises Ukraine’s ‘clever’ tactics
A former British army chief has praised Kyiv for its “smart” tactics ahead of its counter-offensive in north-east Ukraine. The Ukrainian military said it has recaptured thousands of square kilometers of territory near the city of Kharkiv. Lord Richard Dunnatt, a former British army chief, said the Ukrainians had successfully fooled the Russians into believing their main counter-attacks would be on the southern front around Kherson. However, their intention was to focus on the Kharkiv area, according to Lord Dannatt. “We see some incredible scenes. The Russians undoubtedly suffered a significant setback. And the Ukrainians were very clever in what they did,” he told Sky News. “Morale among Ukrainian forces is high, while among Russian forces it is terribly low,” he added. Rory Sullivan 12 September 2022 08:00 1662964841
Ukraine’s spectacular gains are vital to Europe’s security
Given the global outpouring of grief over the death of Queen Elizabeth II, one of the most significant developments in the Ukraine war is in danger of slipping under the radar. As our foreign correspondent Bel Trew, who has covered the conflict extensively, wrote yesterday: In Ukraine – where the continent’s biggest conflict since World War Two had turned into a brutal and seemingly hopeless war of attrition – the Ukrainian army emerged this week to spectacularly break that stalemate in a surprise counterattack in the northeast.
Ukraine’s spectacular gains are vital to Europe’s security | Belle True
Of course, this does not mean that Ukraine is guaranteed victory. But they’ve never looked closer to one than they have this week, writes Bel Trew Rory Sullivan 12 September 2022 07:40 1662963565
Map of success of Ukraine in Kharkiv region
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US military think tank, has just published a useful map of Ukraine’s successful counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region. Land that Kyiv says it has recaptured in less than a week is shown in blue: Rory Sullivan 12 September 2022 07:19 1662962607
Putin ‘fires army chief after just 16 days’ amid heavy losses in Kharkiv
Russia ousted an army chief within 16 days of his appointment to the role, Ukraine claimed, after Kiev’s forces made significant gains. Major General Roman Berdnikov was appointed to the post of commander of the Russian military’s Western Military District on August 26, replacing Lieutenant General Sychecvy. But he lasted just over two weeks before being removed, according to Ukrainian military intelligence. Kyiv attributed the change in leadership to “crushing defeats” inflicted on Russia by its troops in the Kharkiv region. Read the full story here:
Russia ‘Fires Army Commander After Just 16 Days’ Amid Heavy Losses in Kharkiv
Ukraine says a ‘series of defeats’ by its armed forces led to leadership change Arpan Rai September 12, 2022 7:03 am
