Ukraine has battlefield initiative, former Joint Forces Command chief says

A former Head of Joint Forces Command has told Forces News he thinks the "battlefield initiative" is with Ukrainian forces.

General (Ret'd) Sir Richard Barrons said he believed the momentum was with Ukrainian forces as they take back territory in the Donbas – a region Russia declared as its own following internationally disputed referendums.

As Russian President Vladimir Putin annexes four areas of Ukraine, General Sir Richard told Forces News the gains made by Ukraine are impressive and come at a significant time.

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It comes after increasing numbers of Russians have left the country following Mr Putin's decision to call up more troops to fight in Ukraine.

Russian officials say they have withdrawn their troops from the key city of Lyman as Ukraine's Eastern counter-offensive makes more ground.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his military vowed to keep fighting to liberate the annexed regions and other Russian-occupied areas.