Ukraine says it retook captured town near Russian border

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine says Saturday its forces have recaptured the northeast town of Trostianets, near the Russian border, one of the first towns to fall under Moscow’s control in its month-long invasion.

“The city of Trostianets in the Sumy region has been liberated from Russian occupation troops,” the Ukrainian defense ministry announces on social media, citing the 93rd Brigade.

“The Russian army fled Trostianets leaving behind weapons, equipment and ammunition,” the defense ministry statement says.

It publishes images showing Ukrainian soldiers and civilians among heavily damaged buildings, and what appears to be abandoned Russian military equipment along with a signpost to the town.

#Ukraine: In now Ukraine-controlled Trostianets the Ukrainian forces also managed to capture a Russian T-80U tank, cargo truck and a huge pile of what appears to be 152mm artillery shells. pic.twitter.com/JovIvVfM8p

— Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) March 26, 2022

Trostianets, with a pre-war population of around 20,000 people, is located between the larger settlements of Sumy and Kharkiv in east Ukraine, which have been under intensive Russian attacks since the invasion began on February 24.

Moscow’s assault on its pro-democracy neighbor has largely stalled with no major advances and Ukrainian forces even able to counterattack in places.

The recapture of Trostianets would be among the Ukrainian army’s most significant gains since they began counterattacking in several regions.