Russian Defense Ministry shows retreat from most of Kharkiv region

During a daily briefing for journalists the Russian defense ministry showed territories in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region which are still controlled by Russian forces.

A map presented at the briefing showed that a small territory in the east of the Kharkiv region, across the Oskol river, remains under Russian control (marked in pink below).

This map, in comparison with one shown at yesterday’s briefing, makes clear that the Russian military has retreated from the northern Kharkiv region. Of note, they have left the city of Vovchansk, on the border of Russia, which has been occupied since the first days of the war. The Ukrainian flag has already been seen over Vovchansk.

In early September the Ukrainian army launched an offensive in the Kharkiv region, after which Russian troops began to retreat. Commenting on the retreat, the Russian defense ministry announced that an “operation to curtail and transfer troops” was underway. Oleh Synyehubov, governor of the Kharkiv region, announced on September 11 that Ukrainian soldiers had liberated more than 40 settlements.

During a war it is difficult to verify information disseminated by parties to the conflict.