Ukraine’s triumph in Kharkiv provides hope for final victory

Ukraine reclaimed 8,000 square kilometres of Russian-occupied territory and liberated 150,000 people in a week, galvanising Western support and putting Russia firmly on the defensive

Ukraine won a decisive victory in the 29th week of the war, reclaiming an estimated 8,000 square kilometres of northeastern territory Russian forces had occupied in the opening days of their offensive, smashing Russian morale, vindicating their Western allies and suggesting that Kyiv’s goal of re-establishing the country’s 2014 borders may be achievable.