Russia likely ‘taken by surprise’ as Ukrainian troops retake territory held by Moscow for months

A Russian separatist leader in Ukraine’s Donbass region has admitted the situation is “very difficult” as Kyiv mounts a huge surprise attack.

Ukraine has launched a huge offensive retaking land invaded by Russia in the east near Kharkiv. Picture: Ukraine War Map.

Ukraine is reported to have made far reaching progress in retaking territory invaded by Russia in the country’s easier Donbass regions.

Unconfirmed reports have suggested that Kyiv’s troops may have entered Donetsk Airport, on the outskirts of one the separatiss region’s biggest cities.

An intelligence update said Russia had been “taken by surprise” buy the Ukrainian push.

Ukrainian flags placed on statues in a square in Balakliya, Kharkiv region, as Ukraine mounts a major offensive against occupying Russian forces. (Photo by Juan BARRETO / AFP)

On Saturday Moscow announced that it was withdrawing forces in the eastern Kharkiv region of Ukraine.

“To achieve the goals of the special military operation to liberate Donbass, a decision was made to regroup Russian troops stationed in the Balakliya and Izyum regions, to bolster efforts along the Donetsk front,” Russia’s defence ministry said in a statement.

The apparent drawdown of Russian forces comes as Ukrainian troops said they had entered the town of Kupiansk in Kharkiv, with military observers saying Kyiv’s army had advanced further still.

Ukraine has launched a huge offensive retaking land invaded by Russia in the east near Kharkiv. Picture: Ukraine War Map.

The defence ministry said that the withdrawal of troops from Kharkiv to the Donetsk region had been carried out over the course of a three-day operation designed to minimise Russian losses.

But in Donetsk, the Kremlin-backed leader of the separatist republic said there was fierce fighting between Russian forces and Ukraine.

Denis Pushilin said the situation in the town of Lyman in the Donetsk region was “very difficult” and that there was also fighting in “a number of other localities,” particularly in the northern part of the region.

“We have no other choice but to keep Donbass and we’ll succeed. We’ll win of course,” Pushilin said.

Lyman, a former railway hub with a pre-war population of around 20,000 people, was captured by Russian forces in May.

This photograph taken in Balakliya, Kharkiv region, on September 10, 2022 shows a destroyed military tank. (Photo by Juan BARRETO / AFP)

Parts of Donetsk and the neighbouring Luhansk region have been under the control of Moscow-backed rebel groups since 2014.

In an intelligence update on Saturday the UK’s Ministry of Defence said Ukraine troops may have advanced over 50kms in a narrow front into previously Russian held territory.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 10 September 2022

Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/87pwGSujtp

🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/GitWVZvd3S

— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) September 10, 2022

“Russian forces were likely taken by surprise,” the ministry said in an update.

The sector was only lightly held and Ukrainian units have captured or surrounded several towns.

“With Ukrainian operation also continuing in Khershon, the Russian defensive front is under pressure on both its northern and southern flanks”.

- with AFP.