British intelligence: Russian troops withdrawn from Kharkiv

Ukrainian forces are continuing to counter-attack to the north of Kharkiv, recapturing several towns and villages towards the Russian border, the UK Ministry of Defense said, as quoted by Report.

"Despite Russia's success in encircling Kharkiv in the initial stages of the conflict, it has reportedly withdrawn units from the region to reorganize and replenish its forces following heavy losses.

"Once reconstituted, these forces will likely deploy to the eastern bank of the Siverskyi Donets River.

"The withdrawal of Russian forces from the Kharkiv Oblast is a tacit recognition of Russia's inability to capture key Ukrainian cities where they expected limited resistance from the population," DefenseHQ tweeted.