Ukraine's Kharkiv counteroffensive: 'Most significant victory in this war after the battle for Kyiv'

Ukraine's army recaptured around "2,000 kilometres of territory" in September, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Saturday, adding that the Russian army was doing the right thing in fleeing the counteroffensive. As Russia's war on Ukraine reaches a dramatic new phase in the conflict, FRANCE 24 is joined by Peter Zalmayev, Director of the Eurasian Democracy Initiative. Could this be a turning point in the war? Mr. Zalmayev remains cautious, asserting "it's too soon to declare victory, it's too soon to celebrate it. When advances are so rapid, one has to proceed cautiously." For him, over the next few days, it's just a question of whether the Ukrainian soldiers will "consolidate their gains or whether they will go further. But already this is being declared as probably the most significant victory in this war after the battle for Kyiv."
#Kharkiv #Ukraine #Kyiv

[unworthy]

The "September Spanking" will be remembered by generations of Russians and Ukrainians. : )

[roqsteady]

No Mr Zalmayev, they aren't just looking at pre Feb borders, there is the matter of Crimea and the breakaway areas too, that need to be returned to Ukraine. Anything less than pre 2014 borders will cause conflict to bubble up again - Just get the Russians the hell out of Ukraine, Russia is large enough without their territory.

[theobserver]

Remember when people were saying that russia can beat NATO no problem 😂🤣

[minimodecimomeridio]

Putinlovers on February: We will take Kyiv in three days!
Putinlovers on March: We won’t take Kyiv in three days, but we will take it anyway!
Putinlovers on April: We won’t take Kyiv but we’re advancing rapidly in the south!
Putinlovers on May: We’re advancing very slowly, but at least we’re still advancing
Putinlovers on August: We’re not advancing anymore, but at least we’re not retreating either.
Putinlovers on September: Well, at least we still hold Moscow.

[darkbendover]

russian troops retreat victoriously, ukranian army runs after them in panic.

[gabby]

Wrong, Ukraine will not negotiate for pre-February borders. Ukraine right now has the momentum and negotiating now with Russia will let them off the hook for the devastation they have caused. My guess is that the UA will push as long as it can sustain and even take back Crimea.

[EatMyShortsAU]

it is not a retreat it is a "Special military re-grouping".

[generalrendar]

It isn't just a few towns, they completely cut the Northeast supply route to the Donetsk/Lughansk frontline, and it completely collapsed the Russian offensive attacking towards Sloviansk and now they've had to retreat in order to avoid encirclement. Ukraine has more than doubled the gains the Russians had made across two hard months of fighting within a week. Now we will have to see just how much steam the Ukrainian advances have.

[Truspio]

Russian Ministry of Defence statement: Russians heroically retreat, Ukrainians run after them in panic

[wasanthakumara]

Excellent exceptional outstanding great work Ukraine army well done Ukraine army keep it up Ukraine army

[soewin]

Great Victory is with Ukraine, Ukrainians. God is supporting Ukraine to retake all it's lands, territories including Crimea as soon as possible.

[PeterSedesse]

There is no way this war ends with Russia having Crimea. Aside from it being Ukrainian land, the fact is that it is a huge strategic area for NATO. If Ukraine controls Crimea, that basically kicks the Russian black sea fleet out of the black sea. which is a huge strategic win for NATO.

[rahulsharma-gwfc]

truth always wins and truth is winning again. slava Ukraine from India.

[ephraimluwanomwanganya]

You cannot underestimate the landlord, he knows every corner of his land

[Rick_Foley]

Knowing how to retreat is part of the training exercises the Russians were told they were on.

[douglascampbell]

That's double the estimated area given yesterday. Hopefully, within the month, Russia will be out of Donbas and the battle will be in Crimea.

[youuuuuuuuuuutube]

Hmm I think he got it wrong when he said that Ukraine would agree to the Feb 24 borders. Pretty sure that they want the pre Crimea invasion borders, so, Ukraine from 2011 basically.

[maritaalparo]

Go go go Ukraine...we are praying for your victory ✌ 🙏

[robleary]

Keep up the momentum brave Ukraine!....

[gokulbalaji]

Ukraine should be able to get all of its lands which it had decades ago including Crimea. 🇺🇦🇮🇳 Make a stand against the bully. I don't support Russia blindly just because I'm from India.