The last few days have seen spectacular gains by Kyiv’s army on the Kharkiv front. President Zelensky launched his surprise attack in the country’s northeast last week and has reaped the rewards ever since. His forces have brushed aside all Russian resistance and taken over 1,100 square miles of territory within five days.
The Kharkiv onslaught has shifted focus from Ukraine’s southern counteroffensive, which seeks to recapture the port city of Kherson.
The city is located on the Black Sea and Dnipro River and is of vital strategic importance to Kyiv.
It was captured by the Russians early on in the war after its defenders fled without putting up a fight.
A new video circulating on social media purportedly shows Ukrainian troops in the Mykolaiv province launching a daring dawn raid on the village of Ternovi Pody.
Images show an armoured vehicle speeding towards the settlement.
A soldier can be heard shouting: “F***! Go, go go!”
This is followed by an outburst of machine gun fire as the vehicle races towards the village.
Rounds can be seen slamming into the foreground, sending up puffs of dirt.
Through the clearing of smoke and mist, other military vehicles come into view and Ukrainian infantry can be seen advancing on the village.
Another clip shows a machine gunner firing off a number of rounds from his armoured vehicle before picking up a bazooka and using it.
The three clips were published by the social media user “Digger” on his Twitter account.
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She added that Russian forces continued to resist Ukrainian attacks and retained ammunition and supplies on the frontlines.
However, the Russian units were suffering heavy losses.
It comes as President Zelensky mocked Putin over the performance of his army in Ukraine.
He told his TV audience on Saturday night: “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 is and will be no place for the occupiers in Ukraine.”