Ukraine has recaptured 53 settlements in the southern Kherson region, mostly occupied by Russia, since Moscow's occupation began, the regional governor said.

Russia occupied parts of southern Ukraine in the first phase of its invasion.

But Ukraine is now vowing to launch a major counter-offensive to retake the land and has used Western-made long-range weapons to hit Russian supply lines.

"So far, 53 settlements have been confirmed as liberated", acting governor Dmytro Butriy is quoted as saying.

That figure was nine settlements more than the number he gave on Monday, which appeared to indicate an accelerated pace of Ukraine in the region.

On the other hand, Moscow has accused Washington of being "directly involved" in the conflict in Ukraine, claiming that American spies were coordinating missile attacks on Russian troops.

The Russian defense ministry said Vadym Skibitsky, the deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence, had admitted that Washington orchestrates the HIMARS missile attacks.

"All this undeniably proves that Washington, contrary to the claims of the White House and the Pentagon, is directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine," the defense ministry said.

Joe Biden has said he wants Ukraine to defeat Russia and has supplied Kiev with billions of dollars in weapons, but Washington does not want a direct confrontation between American and Russian soldiers.

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Telegraph

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