Ukraine launched a counteroffensive that pushed Russian troops out of the area, but sporadic Russian airstrikes continued this week in Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities. Source: Meeting Acts | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
The risks for Putin’s regime are increasing after the defeats on the battlefield in Ukraine
There have been various reports of pro-Putin commentators appearing on state television questioning the wisdom of continuing the conflict in Ukraine. Mikhail Svetlov | News Getty Images | Getty Images Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime looks more fragile this week after Ukraine’s battlefield victories prompted even pro-Kremlin voices in Russia to question the war in Ukraine. There have been various reports of pro-Putin commentators appearing on state television channels questioning the wisdom of continuing the conflict in Ukraine given the latest advances and recapture of Russian-held land. Russia has been tight-lipped about the withdrawal of Russian troops from the entire Kharkiv region over the Donbass, although Putin’s press secretary said Monday that what Russia calls a “special military operation” will continue. “Military casualties and the humiliation of Russian troops also pose risks to President Vladimir Putin’s regime as domestic criticism of the conduct of the so-called special military operation intensifies from various quarters,” consultancy Teneo said in a note late Monday. . “As a result, Putin faces increasing pressure to respond to increasingly adverse dynamics on the front lines, which could include either escalation moves or calls to open ceasefire talks.” — Holly Elliott
Ukraine has retaken more than 2,300 square miles of territory, Zelenskyy says
Ukraine has retaken more than 6,000 square kilometers (2,300 square miles) of Russian-held territory, President Zelensky said Monday night. “From the beginning of September until today, our soldiers have already liberated more than 6,000 square kilometers of the territory of Ukraine – in the east and in the south. The movement of our troops continues,” President Zelensky said in his nightly speech. Ukrainian flags placed on statues in a square in Balakliya, Kharkiv region, on September 10, 2022. Juan Barretto | AFP | Getty Images Ukraine’s armed forces have made great strides over the past week in retaking dozens of towns and villages both in northeastern Ukraine, in the Kharkiv region, and around Kherson in the south. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry compared the size of the recaptured area to the US state of Delaware. — Holly Elliott
Zelensky urges world leaders to recognize Russia as a terrorist state
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Lviv, Ukraine on August 18, 2022. Emin Sansar | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on world leaders to recognize Russia as a terrorist state. “Yesterday and today, the Russian military hit the Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians found themselves in the dark without electricity. Homes, hospitals, schools, community infrastructure, Russian missiles hit exactly those objects that have absolutely nothing to do with the infrastructure of the Armed Forces Forces of our country,” Zelensky said in an afternoon speech on the Telegram messaging app, according to a translation by NBC News. “To protect ourselves from this, we must further strengthen our cooperation. Together we can overcome Russian terror. Russia must be recognized as a terrorist state,” Zelensky said. Zelensky also called for an additional round of sanctions from the European Union and an increase in security aid packages. — Amanda Macias
White House says it will keep sending weapons to Kyiv, welcomes advances by Ukrainian forces
A Ukrainian armored vehicle moves to the front in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on September 8, 2022. Metin Atkas | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images The White House hailed Ukraine’s lightning-fast advances over the weekend and said the US would continue to provide Kyiv with additional military aid packages. “As we have said many times that we are not going to talk about the Ukrainians, we will leave it to Ukraine to describe their operations. But it is clear that they are fighting hard to defend their country and take back territory,” his spokesman said. White House. Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Air Force One. “We will continue to support their need to succeed on the battlefield which has been our goal, as you all know,” he said, adding that the US has so far committed $14.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia. war at the end of February. — Amanda Macias
“We currently see no prospects for negotiations,” Kremlin says on ending war in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin reviews naval troops as he attends the main naval parade for the Day of the Russian Navy, in St. Petersburg on July 31, 2022. Olga Malcheva | AFP | Getty Images Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia sees no opportunity for Ukraine and Russia to negotiate an end to the war. “We currently see no prospects for negotiations and continue to state the absence of any prerequisites for such negotiations,” Peskov said during a press conference, as translated by NBC News. “The special military operation continues and will continue until all the goals that were initially set are achieved,” he added, without elaborating. Peskov’s remarks come as Ukrainian forces recaptured almost all of the Kharkiv region last week. — Amanda Macias
