Ukraine searches for bodies of Russian soldiers, fierce fighting on many fronts

Volodymyr Lyamzin, civilian-military liaison officer, told Reuters news agency as stretcher bearers, dressed in white head-to-head protective gear, lifted body bags into the trunk of the vehicle. Mr. Lyamzin said that refrigerated trains parked in other parts of Ukraine are also used for the same purpose.

In a post on Facebook, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said: “We are entering a new, permanent phase of the war.” He predicts extremely difficult weeks when Ukraine will be largely alone against the Russians.

Ukrainian forces have gained territorial advantage at the fastest pace since forcing Russian troops to leave Kiev more than a month ago. Ukraine has driven Russian forces out of Kharkiv, its second largest city. The Ukrainian military said it destroyed at least 73 Russian tanks and other equipment during the battle over a river in the Donbass region.

Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, which has been heavily bombed, has been quiet for at least two weeks. Reuters reporters confirmed that Ukraine now controls territory stretching to the River Siverskyi Donets. However, Moscow still bombed nearby villages, including Dergachi, 10km north of Kharkiv.

Russia says its military hit an ammunition depot, shot down a Ukrainian Su-27 in the Kharkiv region, and destroyed the Kremenchuk oil refinery in central Ukraine. The Russians are also trying to take down the last Ukrainian fortress of resistance at the Azovstal steel plant, Mariupol.

Anna Kuznetsova, Deputy Speaker of the Russian lower house of parliament visited Kherson, offering to support the inhabitants of this city. In addition, fighting has re-emerged around Snake Island – the island holds a strategic position, controlling important shipping routes in the Black Sea.

Hoai Linh