Ukraine is gaining strength

Following the withdrawal of Russian troops, the Ukrainian flag was raised yesterday in Kazachya Lopa, a city located four kilometers from the Russian border and north of the Kharkiv region, Ukraine’s second largest city and an important supply point for the Russian military.

On the same day, the Kyiv authorities announced that since the beginning of September their troops had reclaimed more than 3,000 square kilometers of territory from the Russians. “Around Kharkov, we began to move not only to the south and east, but also to the north. We are 50 kilometers from the border,” said Valery Zaluzhny, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army.

Kyiv forces have reclaimed more territory in five days than Russia has since April, according to the Institute for the Study of War. “The next few months will be decisive in determining the outcome of the war,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The Kremlin recognizes negotiations with Ukraine, but accuses Kyiv of dragging out the process. Russian MNE Sergei Lavrov says the fact that Ukraine is postponing possible talks reduces the likelihood of a peace deal between the two countries.

Details
disinformation as a weapon
The counteroffensive in southern Ukraine was a disinformation campaign designed to distract Russia from the real events taking place in Kharkiv. According to a Ukrainian special forces source cited by The Guardian, Kyiv has spread false information that they will be concentrated on Kherson for several days while implementing a plan to launch a surprise attack on the Russian military at the opposite point in the region.

Ukraine criticizes the IMF
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Chmygal lamented the “very passive attitude” of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), expressing concern about the organization’s “delays” with Ukraine’s request for a new financial assistance program.

Nuclear power plant “completely shut down”
The last operating reactor of the Zaporozhye NPP was shut down after the backup connection to the station was restored. According to the state energy company of Ukraine “Energoatom”, the operation of the station was completely stopped for safety reasons. “A decision was made to turn off the power unit and transfer it to the safest state – a cold shutdown,” the company said.