Ukraine has regained 53 settlements in the Kherson region, which is mostly occupied by Russia, the regional governor announced on Tuesday, as quoted by the Reuters agency.

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Russia seized large swaths of southern Ukraine in the first phase of the invasion, which began on February 24.

Ukraine is now vowing to launch a massive counter-offensive to retake its territories and is using long-range Western weapons to strike Russian supply lines.

"As of now, 53 settlements have been confirmed as liberated," Acting Governor Dmytro Butrii told national television.

That figure is nine more settlements than the number he announced on Monday, which appears to indicate an acceleration in the pace of Ukrainian gains in the region, Reuters noted.

Russian invasion of Ukraine