KYIV: Ukraine claimed full control of Russia's eastern logistics hub Lyman, its most significant battlefield gain in weeks, setting the stage for further advances aimed at cutting Moscow's supply lines to its battered troops to a single route.
The stinging setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin was delivered after he proclaimed the annexation of four regions covering nearly a fifth of Ukraine on Friday, an area that includes Lyman. Kyiv and the West have condemned the proclamation as an illegitimate farce.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the capture of the town, where Ukrainian flags were raised over civic buildings on Saturday, demonstrated that Ukraine is capable of dislodging Russian forces and showed the impact Ukraine's deployment of advanced Western weapons was having on the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday that the success of the country's soldiers was not limited to the recapture of Lyman.
Ukraine forces have liberated the small Arkhanhelske and Myrolyubivka settlements in the Kherson region as well, he said.
Ukraine's Interfax agency reported that according to Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesman for the Ukrainian Eastern Group of Forces, Ukraine's forces recaptured Torske, a small village in the Donetsk region, about 15 km (9 miles) east of the now liberated Lyman.
Reuters was not able to immediately verify the reports.
Russia's defence ministry said on Saturday that it was pulling troops out of the Lyman area "in connection with the creation of a threat of encirclement".
It did not mention Lyman in its daily update on fighting in Ukraine on Sunday, although it said Russian forces had destroyed seven artillery and missile depots in the Ukrainian regions of Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv and Donetsk.
Russian forces had captured Lyman from Ukraine in May and had been using it as a logistics and transport hub for its operations in the north of the Donetsk region. Its recapture by Ukrainian troops is Russia's largest battlefield loss since Ukraine's lightning counteroffensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region in September.
Control over Lyman could prove a "key factor" in helping Ukraine reclaim lost territory in the neighbouring Luhansk region, whose full capture Moscow announced in early July after weeks of grinding advances, Luhansk governor Serhiy Gaidai said.
Lyman's operational importance was due to its command over a road crossing over the Siverskyi Donets River, behind which Russia has been attempting to consolidate its defences, Britain's Ministry of Defence said.
"Thanks to the successful operation in Lyman we are moving towards the second north-south route...and that means a second supply line will be disrupted," said reserve colonel Viktor Kevlyuk at Ukraine's Centre for Defence Strategies think tank.
"And in that case, the Russian group in Luhansk and Donetsk could only be supplied strictly through (Russia's) Rostov region," Kevlyuk told media outlet Espreso TV.
ANNEXED REGIONS
The areas Putin claimed as annexed just over seven months into Russia's invasion of its neighbour - Donetsk and Luhansk plus Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in the south - are equal to about 18% of Ukraine's total surface land area.
Russia's parliament is to consider on Monday bills and ratification treaties to absorb the regions, the speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin said.
A pomp-filled Kremlin signing ceremony with the regions' Russian-installed leaders on Friday failed to stem a wave of criticism within Russia of how its military operation is being handled.
Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia's southern Chechnya region, on Saturday called for a change of strategy "right up to the declaration of martial law in the border areas and the use of low-yield nuclear weapons." Washington says it would respond decisively to any use of nuclear weapons.
Other hawkish Russian figures on Saturday criticised Russian generals and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on social media for overseeing the setbacks but stopped short of attacking Putin.
The United States was "very encouraged" by Ukrainian gains, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Sunday, while NATO's Stoltenberg said the fall of Lyman demonstrated the effectiveness of Western weapons in the conflict.
Pope Francis on Sunday made an impassioned appeal to Putin to stop "this spiral of violence and death" in Ukraine and also called on Zelenskiy to be open to any "serious peace proposal".
Zelenskiy said on Friday that peace talks with Russia while Putin was still president would be impossible. "We are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but with another president of Russia," he said.
READ MORE: Latest development on Ukraine-Russia crisis
Reuters
Mon Oct 03 2022
![Ukraine claims control of Russian logistics hub, seeks to cut more supply lines Ukraine claims control of Russian logistics hub, seeks to cut more supply lines](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-10/51664765163_UKRAINE.jpg)
Ukrainian service member dismount a cannon from a captured Russian armoured personnel carrier, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the town of Izium in Kharkiv region, Ukraine October 2, 2022. - REUTERS
[TERKINI] Banduan Iran ditahan disyaki miliki heroin
Seorang banduan lelaki warga Iran yang sedang menjalani hukuman penjara 30 tahun di Penjara Tapah ditahan pada petang Rabu kerana disyaki memiliki dadah jenis heroin.
!['Keluarga mula sedar kehilangan Nidza Afham selepas dimaklumkan kekasihnya' - Aufahanie 'Keluarga mula sedar kehilangan Nidza Afham selepas dimaklumkan kekasihnya' - Aufahanie](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723698722_NidzaAfham.jpg)
'Keluarga mula sedar kehilangan Nidza Afham selepas dimaklumkan kekasihnya' - Aufahanie
Aufahanie mendedahkan dia dan ahli keluarga mula sedar tentang kehilangan abangnya, Nidza Afham selepas dimaklumkan oleh kekasih arwah abangnya itu.
[TERKINI] Pembunuhan Cikgu Istiqomah: Polis serahkan kertas siasatan kepada PPN hari ini
Kertas siasatan berhubung kes pembunuhan kejam guru wanita Istiqomah Ahmad Rozi, 33, akan diserahkan kepada Pejabat Pendakwaan Negeri (PPN) hari ini untuk arahan lanjut.
![Polis tahan banduan warga Iran miliki dadah di Penjara Tapah Polis tahan banduan warga Iran miliki dadah di Penjara Tapah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723698023_AziziMatAris.jpg)
Polis tahan banduan warga Iran miliki dadah di Penjara Tapah
Seorang banduan warga Iran yang sedang menjalani hukuman di Penjara Tapah didapati memiliki dadah jenis heroin.
![Jangan normalkan remaja bawah umur memandu Jangan normalkan remaja bawah umur memandu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723017349_TBbawahumur.jpg)
Jangan normalkan remaja bawah umur memandu
Masyarakat dinasihatkan untuk tidak menormalkan perbuatan memandu kenderaan oleh remaja bawah umur yang berbahaya termasuk boleh mengakibatkan kematian.
AWANI Ringkas: Bukan arahan saya - Fahmi Fadzil
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Wang kertas tertera wajah Raja Charles dilelong RM5.2 juta
Wang kertas tertera wajah pemerintah monarki Britain, Raja Charles III, berjaya dilelong pada harga 914,127 pound Sterling (RM5.2 juta) dalam empat siri lelongan di London baru-baru ini.
Penemuan takungan air, saintis percaya wujud hidupan di Marikh
Jumlah takungan air yang banyak jauh di dalam kerak planet Marikh, menimbulkan semula persoalan dalam kalangan saintis yang percaya tentang kemungkinan wujudnya hidupan di planet merah tersebut.
Mpox atau cacar monyet: WHO isytihar mpox kecemasan kesihatan awam global
Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) mengisytiharkan Monkeypox atau Mpox sebagai kecemasan kesihatan awam global, pada Rabu.
Parlimen Thailand pilih Perdana Menteri baharu Jumaat ini
Parlimen Thailand akan bersidang pada Jumaat ini bagi mengadakan mesyuarat khas memilih Perdana Menteri baharu susulan keputusan mahkamah yang menyingkirkan Srettha Thavisin pada Rabu.
![Presiden Palestin tiba di Moscow untuk lawatan rasmi Presiden Palestin tiba di Moscow untuk lawatan rasmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2017-12/51512604086_MahmoudAbbas.jpg)
Presiden Palestin tiba di Moscow untuk lawatan rasmi
Mahmoud Abbas Abbas dijadual mengadakan pertemuan dengan rakan sejawatnya dari Rusia, Vladimir Putin pada Selasa.
![Rusia kini membenarkan perlombongan kripto Rusia kini membenarkan perlombongan kripto](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723175625_VladimirPutin.jpg)
Rusia kini membenarkan perlombongan kripto
Rusia hari ini secara rasmi membenarkan perlombongan kripto dilakukan tetapi ia hanya dibenarkan kepada syarikat atau entiti Rusia yang berdaftar dengan kerajaan.
![Anwar bakal bertemu Vladimir Putin, bincang soal ekonomi Anwar bakal bertemu Vladimir Putin, bincang soal ekonomi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81722572845_AnwarIbrahimperda.jpg)
Anwar bakal bertemu Vladimir Putin, bincang soal ekonomi
Antara perkara utama yang akan dibincang dalam pertemuan tersebut ialah mengenai potensi kerjasama ekonomi yang boleh dikembangkan.
![Perang tidak selesaikan masalah, kata Narendra Modi kepada Vladimir Putin Perang tidak selesaikan masalah, kata Narendra Modi kepada Vladimir Putin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71720561855_VladimirPutinNare.jpg)
Perang tidak selesaikan masalah, kata Narendra Modi kepada Vladimir Putin
"Di tengah-tengah senjata, peluru dan bom, rundingan damai tidak boleh berjaya. Kita harus mencari jalan untuk damai hanya melalui perbincangan."
![Presiden Korea Selatan bincang hubungan Korea Utara-Rusia di sidang kemuncak NATO Presiden Korea Selatan bincang hubungan Korea Utara-Rusia di sidang kemuncak NATO](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41717061182_YoonSukYeol.jpg)
Presiden Korea Selatan bincang hubungan Korea Utara-Rusia di sidang kemuncak NATO
Presiden Korea Selatan Yoon Suk Yeol akan melawat Amerika Syarikat (AS) pada Isnin untuk menghadiri sidang kemuncak NATO di Washington.
![Pemimpin Korea Utara lawat Rusia 'apabila semua syarat dipenuhi' - Moscow Pemimpin Korea Utara lawat Rusia 'apabila semua syarat dipenuhi' - Moscow](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61719295987_tbNorthKorea.jpg)
Pemimpin Korea Utara lawat Rusia 'apabila semua syarat dipenuhi' - Moscow
Lawatan Pemimpin Korea Utara Kim Jong Un ke Rusia akan berlangsung apabila "semua syarat yang diperlukan dipenuhi".
![Putin ucap terima kasih kepada Kim Jong Un atas sambutan mesra Putin ucap terima kasih kepada Kim Jong Un atas sambutan mesra](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/81717643773_VladimirPutin.jpg)
Putin ucap terima kasih kepada Kim Jong Un atas sambutan mesra
Vladimir Putin menerusi kiriman Telegram kepada pemimpin Korea Utara Kim Jong Un, menzahirkan penghargaan atas sambutan dan layanan mesra yang diterima semasa lawatannya ke negara itu baru-baru ini.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709993909_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
!['Korea Selatan, jangan bekalkan senjata kepada Ukraine' - Putin 'Korea Selatan, jangan bekalkan senjata kepada Ukraine' - Putin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/51706333140_KimJongUn.jpg)
'Korea Selatan, jangan bekalkan senjata kepada Ukraine' - Putin
Kata Putin, Moscow akan bertindak balas terhadap perkara itu dengan cara yang lebih besar terhadap Seoul.
![Putin datang bawa kereta mewah, Kim Jong Un senyum dapat hadiah Putin datang bawa kereta mewah, Kim Jong Un senyum dapat hadiah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/81718865599_tbNorthKorea.jpg)
Putin datang bawa kereta mewah, Kim Jong Un senyum dapat hadiah
Presiden Rusia, Vladimir Putin, menyampaikan hadiah limosin Aurus, kepada rakan sejawatan di Korea Utara, Kim Jong Un, dalam lawatannya ke Pyongyang pada Rabu.