Realistic that Ukrainian forces can surround Russian troops – VG

Less than 1 hour ago

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Instead of advancing in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, Russian troops are said to have taken defensive positions north of the city.

It writes CNN and The Guardian.

According to US defense authorities, Ukraine’s counter-offensive near Kyiv is said to have pushed Russian forces further away from the capital. At the same time, Russian fighter jets have been driven back 150 km in recent days.

– The small town of Makariv and almost the whole of Irpin is already under the control of Ukrainian soldiers, he claimed. Irpin borders Kyiv to the east, Makariv is located about 50 kilometers west of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko (50) said during a press conference in Kyiv on Wednesday.

CNN writes on Wednesday that Russia’s troops are about 55 kilometers away from the center of Kyiv, between 25 and 35 kilometers more than yesterday. Nevertheless, they are putting more pressure on the Donbas area.

– We are starting to see them dig in around Kyiv, but go more on the offensive than they have been in the eastern part, the US Department of Defense Pentagon is said to have said during a press release on Wednesday.

Ukraine is increasing pressure on Russia

On the same day, British intelligence writes in its daily evening update Wednesday, that Ukrainian forces can surround Russian forces. In the update, they write that:

• Ukraine is increasing pressure on Russian forces north-east of Kyiv. Russian forces in this area lack equipment.
• Ukrainian forces carry out successful counterattacks against Russian positions in cities on the outskirts of Kyiv, and have probably taken back Makariv and Moschun. It is realistic that Ukrainian forces are now able to surround Russian troops in Bucha and Irpin.
• It is likely that successful counterattacks by Ukraine will disrupt Russian forces’ attempts to reorganize and continue the offensive against Ukraine.

The Guardian journalist Julian Borger describes it as a “potentially important moment”.

– US defense authorities have said that when Russian forces begin to dig in, it means that they do not think they can move forward, he writes Twitter.

The last few days have come reports of counter-offensive in several places. On Tuesday, CNN wrote that Ukrainian forces have recaptured Makariv about 65 kilometers west of Kyiv.

Russia still claims to have conquered more Ukrainian territorybut this has not been confirmed by independent sources.

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