Ukrainian leadership on Saturday claimed “astonishing” progress in the ongoing counteroffensive against the Russian invaders, retaking the smaller city of Balakliya, pre-war population 30,000, and closing in on larger hubs Kupiansk and Izium, AFP reports. “Ukrainian troops are advancing in eastern Ukraine, liberating more cities and villages. Their courage coupled with Western military support brings astonishing results,” said foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko in a statement.
The push from Kyiv is reportedly taking a serious toll on Russian troops. Desertions have reportedly gotten so bad this week that the Russian army are dispatching helicopters to spot troops fleeing back toward the border amid the counteroffensive. “In the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson region, in the area of Babenkivka Second settlement, the enemy had to deploy helicopters and weapons to search for fugitives and return them to combat positions,” said a post from the Ukrainian military command. “In addition, through Kalanchak, in the direction of temporarily occupied Crimea, intensive movement of unarmed Russian soldiers was noted.”