As Ukrainian forces quickly advance and conquer more towns while Russian forces retreat, the Russian government orders its inhabitants to leave Kharkiv city (images/video).

 

As news of Ukrainian gains in the city continues to circulate, the Russian government has asked its nationals and administrative officials to leave the Ukrainian city of Kharkhiv.

After five months of Russian control, Ukrainian soldiers reportedly entered the important city of Izium on Saturday, September 10, according to Reuters.

On September 1, Ukraine began a counteroffensive in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, but shockingly also launched a counteroffensive in the country's north-eastern city of Kharkhiv.

Russian forces' "major artery" through the Kharkiv region has reportedly been blocked, according to a senior Ukrainian official. Ukrainian forces are also reportedly facing Russian fortifications on a new front along the border of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

 

In a Saturday operational update, Ukraine's General Staff stated: "The liberation of towns temporarily held by Russian occupants in the Kharkiv region and in the direction of South Buh is still ongoing. Official details will be released later for the protection of our military members."

A large portion of the southern front in Mykolaiv and Kherson is included in South Buh.

According to the General Staff "By deploying reserves, the command of the Russian occupying forces in the Kherson region is attempting to fortify the city of Kherson. As a result, brand-new enemy units have been discovered at the regional hub."

Additionally, it stated that Ukrainian artillery was still in possession of the bridge despite Russian efforts to reopen one of three destroyed bridges over the Dnipro River.

Videos posted on social media show Ukrainian military raising the flags of Ukraine in several locations in Kharkiv and Kherson. Locals are shown in another video welcoming Ukrainian military to the city.

Ukrainian servicemen can be seen posing in front of Izium's sign post in a another picture.

The Russian Defense Ministry stated that "the decision was made to gather Russian troops" and reroute them to the Donetsk region in its initial response to the military gains made by Ukrainian forces in recent days.

Vitaly Ganchev, the highest ranking member of the Russian administration in the Kharkiv region, gave a pessimistic appraisal of the situation.

Ganchev said in a video message posted to Telegram:

"I urge everyone living in the Kharkiv region to leave the area in order to protect their lives. Being inside your own homes right now is risky."

Speaking from an undisclosed location, Ganchev stated: "We are prepared to offer you all the assistance you require. Our officials are assisting with the evacuation of residents while they are still on the territory."

"Naturally, our army is exerting every effort. I can hear our military aviation working even now "Added Ganchev. He did admit, however, that Ukrainian forces frequently opened fire on Kharkiv's settlements.

In a brief Telegram post, the Military-Civic Administration of the Vovchansk area, through which a lot of Russian supplies are transported to the front lines, stated:

"Russian troops are evacuating Volchansk! Vovchansk for the time being. The populace of the city keeps leaving."

The local headquarters will be moved over the border, according to Evgeniy Evtushenko, a member of the Russian parliament, according to the administration.

"Russian Armed Forces have decided to depart our city in order to preserve the lives of people. The administration of [the] City will be transferred to Belgorod. Till the situation in the city settles, it will have branches in Kursk, Yakutsk, Vladivostok, and St. Peterburg, according to Evtushenko.

He continued, "Russian military forces will regain control of all Russian territory in Kharkiv region.

Vovchansk has played a crucial role in the Russian military's supply line from the city of Belgorod, and it has remained under Russian control even as Ukrainian forces have retaken certain areas to the north and east of Kharkiv in recent months.

Somewhere in the Kharkiv region. Freed locals welcome Ukrainian defenders??#KharkivOffensive #Balaklia #Kupyansk #Izium #AFU pic.twitter.com/uLMEKs8KDs

— Mr. Arkadiy ?? ? ?? (@bober_arkadiy) September 10, 2022