The Russian Ministry of Defense has earlier confirmed the withdrawal of Russian forces from Izium and Balkliya.

In a statement published by state media RIA Novosti, the ministry claimed a decision had been made to "regroup Russian troops stationed in the Balaklia and Izium regions" and "increase efforts in Donetsk" in order to "achieve the stated goals of special military operation" and the "liberation" of Donbass, The Guardian reports, Telegrafi follows.

It was also claimed that a number of "distraction and demonstration events" had been organized to hide "the real actions of the troops" and allow the withdrawal.

Otherwise, Ukraine appears to have regained control of the two main cities of Kupiansk and Izium after a major counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region in recent days.

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Pictures released by Ukrainian security forces showed troops in Kupiansk, an important logistical hub for Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.

The Ukrainian flag has also been raised in the city of Balakliya, according to the Kharkiv regional governor.