Live: Zelensky visits recaptured hub of Izyum in east Ukraine

Issued on: 14/09/2022 – 13:22

1:15pm: Zelensky visits recaptured hub of Izyum in east Ukraine, says army

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday visited the east Ukraine city of Izyum, the military said, one of the largest cities recently recaptured from Russia by Kyiv’s army in a lightning counter-offensive.

The Ukrainian military in a statement on social media said Zelensky and military officials “took part” in a ceremony raising the Ukrainian flag over the captured city which was key for Russia’s ambitions to capture the Donbas region.

5:34am: Biden says Ukraine has made progress

Ukraine has made significant progress as it pushes back Russian forces but it is not possible to tell if the war is at a turning point, US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday.

Asked whether Ukraine has reached a turning point in the war, he said: “The question is unanswerable. It’s hard to tell. It’s clear the Ukrainians have made significant progress. But I think it’s going to be a long haul.”

12:37am: Ukraine is in full control of more than 4,000 square km recaptured from Russia

Ukraine is in full control of more than 4,000 square km (1,500 square miles) of territory recaptured from Russian forces and is stabilising another 4,000 square km, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an address on Tuesday.

On Monday he said Ukraine had retaken 6,000 square km in its recent counter-offensive. Ukrainian officials, though, say it is important to make a distinction between taking territory and ensuring it is totally safe.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)