As Russia’s counter-offensive continues, the Ukrainian forces continue to make “significant gains in Kharkiv.”

In its daily intelligence briefing update, the UK Ministry of Defence stated that Russia had likely pulled out units from northeastern Ukraine.

Russia has ordered its troops to withdraw two of the front-line positions after the shock advance made by Ukrainian forces over the past four days, marking a significant victory for the Ukrainian military.

According to the country’s president Volodymyr Zilenskyy, Ukraine’s military has liberated approximately 2,000 kilometres of territory from before the counter-offensive began.

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It has retaken territory in Kharkiv, the country’s second largest city. However, fighting continues around Kupiansk, Izyum, and other strategically important cities.

Russia captured Izyum at the beginning of the war, and it has remained under their command ever since.

Ukrainian flags were seen in eastern regions in towns and villages.

The defense ministry updated its position to deny Russian claims. This was after Vladimir Putin claimed that only a small portion of grain exported from Ukraine in accordance with an international agreement went to poor countries.

On Wednesday, Putin stated that only two of the 87 ships carrying 60,000 tonnes of product had reached poor countries.

Last month, the United Nations and Turkey brokered a deal that allowed grain exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports. According to UN figures, around 30% of the grains exported under this deal were supplied to low- and middle-income countries.

According to the ministry, Russia has a deliberate misinformation strategy to discredit Ukraine and deflect responsibility for food insecurity.

The final reactor at Zaporizhzhia’s Zaporizhia plant was shut down

After being reconnected to electricity, the final reactor of the Zaporizhzhia power station in southern Ukraine was shut down.

After all power lines in the area were damaged by shelling, the six reactor plant, Europe’s biggest nuclear power station, was disconnected last week from the grid.

Energoatom Ukraine, the country’s nuclear power operator, stated that one of the power lines had been restored late Saturday night, which allowed plant operators to shut down their last reactor.

Both sides have accused each other of attacking the plant. However, Russian forces have occupied the area since the beginning of the war. Fighting around the plant has raised concerns about a nuclear catastrophe.