Ukraine Seizes Initiative Against Russia as War Enters 200th Day

Ukrainian forces have made substantial gains during a swift counteroffensive into Russian-held territory as Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine entered its 200th day, according to officials.

In a Saturday, September 10 address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said forces had retaken 1,242 miles of its territory.

He said: "The movement of our soldiers in different directions of the front continues. As of now, as part of active actions since the beginning of September, about 2,000 kilometers of our territory have already been liberated.

"These days, the Russian army is showing its best - showing its back. And, in the end, it is a good choice for them to run away. There will be no place for the occupiers in Ukraine."

The president then thanked various regiments for their efforts "in the Kharkiv direction" and "for securing the situation in Balakliya."

U.K. intelligence also supported Ukrainian claims that the country's focus had managed a successful counteroffensive.

The U.K.'s Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a Sunday, September 11, Twitter statement: "Over the last 24 hours, Ukrainian forces have continued to make significant gains in the Kharkiv region. Russia has likely withdrawn units from the area, but fighting continues around the strategically important cities of Kupiansk and Izium."

Ukraine's former ambassador to Austria Olexander Scherba claimed on Sunday the village of Chkalovs'ke, southeast of Kharkiv was liberated.

Oleksiy Goncharenko, a member of Ukraine's Parliament, claimed forces had penetrated deeper into Russian-held territory. He tweeted: "My sources say, Ukrainian entered Donetsk airport. Keep fingers crossed."

Photos and videos have been widely shared online that claim to show Ukrainian soldiers in liberated towns and villages that were under Russian occupation.

Russia continues to hold vast swathes of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea which was annexed in 2014.

Moscow has conceded that its forces have moved away from the areas Ukraine has claimed to have liberated but described it as a "redeployment."

In a September 10 Telegram update, the Russian Ministry of Defense said: "Russian troops that operate near Balakleya and Izyum to be redeployed for reinforcement at Donetsk direction in order to reach preestablished objectives of [the] special military operation.

"With this purpose, Izyum-Balakleya group of troops had been redeployed to the Donetsk People's Republic within 72 hours. Various deceptive and demonstrative maneuvers had been carried out marking [the] real action of the troops within the abovementioned operation.

"The enemy had been under powerful fire attacks with the involvement of aviation, missile troops and artillery for preventing any damage to Russian troops."

It further claimed 2,000 Ukrainian and foreign soldiers, in addition to more than "100 units" of armored equipment and artillery were "eliminated" within 72 hours.

Newsweek has contacted the Kremlin and Goncharenko for comment.

Ukraine's apparent counteroffensive success comes amid heavy criticism of Russia's handling of the invasion.

Russian forces have been described as having low morale and having suffered large numbers of casualties since the war began 200 days ago.

Retired U.S. Army General Mark Hertling said on Friday that Russia's failure to counter Ukraine's advances essentially helped Ukraine to take back its territory.

He posted on Twitter: "Make no mistake, UA (Ukraine) is executing a brilliant maneuver focused on terrain objectives to 'bag' Russians. But the Russians are helping them…by doing very little to counter."