Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has traveled to Izyum, one of many largest cities lately retaken from Russia in a lightning counteroffensive within the jap a part of the nation.

The Ukrainian navy in an announcement on social media stated Zelenskiy and navy officers “took half” in a ceremony elevating the Ukrainian flag over the liberated metropolis, which was key for Russia’s ambitions to seize the Donbas area.

Pictures confirmed Zelenskiy greeting Ukrainian troopers collaborating within the quickly advancing counteroffensive.

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Zelenskiy stated in his nightly handle on September 13 that Ukraine was in full management of greater than 4,000 sq. kilometers of territory recaptured from Russian forces and stabilizing one other 4,000 sq. kilometers.

“Our blue-yellow flag is already flying in de-occupied Izyum. And it will likely be so in each Ukrainian metropolis and village,” Zelensky stated on Telegram.

“We’re transferring solely in a single course — ahead and till victory,” he stated in a publish on social media after his go to.

The Ukrainian navy has pushed Russian forces out of lots of of cities and cities within the northeast of the nation, and Zelenskiy stated the stabilization of the liberated communities was underneath manner.

Zelenskiy additionally criticized Russia for missile strikes that hit a hydroelectric facility in Kryviy Rih, which he stated was an try and flood the town and go away its individuals with out water, electrical energy, warmth, and meals.

Russian troops fired eight cruise missiles at Kryviy Rih, hitting the ability, stated Kyrylo Tymoshenko, a senior aide to Zelenskiy. No civilians have been injured, and the harm brought about is being repaired, he stated.

He stated the rockets have been aimed toward essential amenities with the purpose of making an emergency state of affairs and panic among the many inhabitants.

“They want our panic,” Tymoshenko stated. “That is why we do not panic.”

Earlier on September 14, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who held a 90-minute cellphone name with Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 13, stated Putin hasn’t modified his pondering on invading Ukraine.

“Sadly, I can not let you know that the impression has grown that it was a mistake to start this struggle. And there was no indication that new attitudes are rising,” Scholz informed a press convention on September 14.

The Kremlin, which has made little point out of the setbacks in current days, vowed to proceed preventing. It additionally stated on September 14 that Putin had mentioned getting Ukrainian grain to international locations most in want in a phone name with UN Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres.

The dialog “primarily targeted on implementing the Istanbul agreements on exporting Ukrainian grain” from Black Sea ports, and the export of Russian meals and fertilizer, the Kremlin stated in an announcement.

“Either side emphasised the significance of assembly the wants, as a precedence, of these in Africa, the Center East, and Latin America who want meals,” the Kremlin stated.

Guterres stated he was hopeful a UN-brokered deal can be maintained and expanded to incorporate Russian ammonia.

“To take away the obstacles that also exist in relation to the export of Russian fertilizers is totally important,” Guterres informed reporters shortly after talking to Putin.

“There are…talks in relation to the potential for Russian ammonia exports by means of the Black Sea,” stated Guterres, including that there was a “dramatic state of affairs” on the world fertilizer market.

Facilitating Russia’s meals and fertilizer shipments is a central facet of the deal brokered in July that additionally restarted Ukraine’s Black Sea grain and fertilizer shipments. Russia has lately criticized the deal, complaining that its exports have been nonetheless hindered.

A pipeline transporting ammonia from Russia to a Ukrainian Black Sea port was shut down when Russia invaded Ukraine. The United Nations is now attempting to dealer a resumption of these ammonia exports.

In Strasbourg, European Fee chief Ursula von der Leyen stated she would journey to Kyiv afterward September 14. It will likely be von der Leyen’s third go to to Kyiv because the begin of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP