KYIV: Ukrainian forces said they had retaken parts of the northeastern town of Kupiansk and had encircled Russian troops there as President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the area and praised the operation, saying it strengthened Ukraine diplomatically. With US-backed peace efforts underway, Moscow has said it is advancing on all fronts and that it has seized Kupiansk and the strategic city of Pokrovsk in the east. Kyiv has denied this, saying that the fighting is continuing.

Russia has claimed to be in full control of Pokrovsk but Ukrainian forces say they still control northern part of city.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky filmed himself near the city of Kupiansk, which Russia claimed to have captured last month.

Ukraine's troops hail advance, a month after Putin claimed town was 'practically' in Russia's hands.

KYIV: Ukrainian forces said they had retaken parts of the northeastern town of Kupiansk and had encircled Russian troops there as President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the area and…

President Volodymyr Zelensky filmed himself near the front line to show that his army was capable of mounting a counteroffensive. Ukraine retaking control of the city of Kupiansk…