Ukraine's Counterattack Recovers Territory Ten Times Seoul's Size in Two Weeks... The War Situation Reverses

Evacuation Order Issued for Residents in Russian-Occupied Areas
"Multiple Fronts Could Collapse Rapidly"

On the 12th (local time), a Ukrainian soldier riding in a vehicle on a road in a location in Kharkiv Oblast, which was recaptured from Russian forces, is smiling. Kharkiv, Ukraine = AP·Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As Ukraine announced that it has recaptured territory equivalent to ten times the area of Seoul through a counterattack against Russian forces, attention is focusing on whether a major turning point will occur in the future war situation. Russia, which had previously stated that negotiations with Ukraine were impossible, has also hinted at the possibility of negotiations again, showing signs of being on the defensive, raising expectations that the war situation may rapidly shift.

On the 12th (local time), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in a video speech, "Since the beginning of this month until today, our soldiers have liberated more than 6,000 km² of territory in southern and eastern Ukraine," adding, "Our military advance will continue."

Previously, on the day before, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi had announced that the recaptured territory was 3,000 km², but it has more than doubled in just one day. If President Zelenskyy's statement is accurate, Ukraine has reclaimed territory equivalent to ten times the area of Seoul (605 km²) in just two weeks.

The U.S. government also confirmed that Russian forces have completely withdrawn from the Kharkiv area. According to CNN, a U.S. military official explained at a press conference that day, "Russian forces have relinquished most of the territory they had occupied around Kharkiv and retreated north and east. Many Russian troops crossed the border and moved into Russia."

Russian forces explained that the troops in the Kharkiv area were strategically redeployed to the eastern region. Igor Konashenkov, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Defense, stated at a press conference the previous day, "We decided to relocate the units deployed in Barakliia and Izium to eastern Donetsk for reorganization." Barakliia and Izium are major cities in the southern part of Kharkiv Oblast.

However, the local occupation administration established by Russia after occupying Kharkiv reportedly issued an evacuation order to Kharkiv residents starting from the 10th. According to the Associated Press, severe traffic congestion has occurred in the Kharkiv area since the 10th, and Russian forces have been seizing residents' vehicles in attempts to flee.

As news spread that Russian forces have effectively decided to withdraw from Kharkiv, there has been significant unrest within the Russian military. Ramzan Kadyrov, head of the Chechen Republic and leading the vanguard units on the main Ukrainian front, expressed opposition through his Telegram account, stating, "It is clear that they made a mistake," and "If there is no change in strategy, we have no choice but to demand an explanation from the leadership."

The Russian government also suddenly hinted at the possibility of peace negotiations with Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with the state broadcaster Rossiya-1, "We have not given up on negotiations with Ukraine," adding, "The longer negotiations drag on, the harder it is to reach an agreement." This is seen as an attempt to buy time by suggesting a ceasefire negotiation amid unfavorable war conditions.

If Russian forces fail to quickly launch a counterattack in the future, there is also a possibility that the war situation will rapidly deteriorate. The U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW) stated in a report that day, "While Russian state media are promoting the war situation favorably, the Ministry of Defense has effectively acknowledged the withdrawal, which will intensify confusion and backlash against internal control," and "If Russian forces fail to properly control the indiscriminately withdrawing troops, multiple fronts could collapse faster than expected."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.