Ukraine captures Luhansk town, Zelenskyy says Russians are 'panicking' | USA TODAY

Ukraine’s counteroffensive continues to be successful, reclaiming a town in Luhansk from Russian troops.

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The Kremlin openly recognized a defeat for the first time in the midst of a successful Ukrainian military counteroffensive that has stirred dissent in Russia and prompted its troops to retreat. The Ukraine Defense Ministry said members of fleeing Russian troops are massing at the Belgorod border, where other Russian troops are keeping them from crossing over.

As Ukraine builds momentum, experts are expressing cautious optimism. John Kirby, the National Security Council's coordinator for strategic communications at the White House, stressed that the war was unpredictable.“What you’re seeing is certainly a shift in momentum for the Ukrainian armed forces, particularly in the north," Kirby said at a briefing.

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