As it attempts to retake occupied Kherson, the Ukrainian military has claimed to have destroyed important Russian control stations, munitions, and stores.

Kherson, a significant port city with access to important commercial, naval, and other sea routes, is just around 60 miles (100 km) from the Russian-occupied Crimea.

A Ukrainian official claims that progress has been achieved in the counteroffensive that the government is waging in the south.

Russian troops are leaving certain locations where Ukraine has begun a counteroffensive, according to a spokesperson for Ukraine's southern military command on Monday.

The military command declared on Monday that the counteroffensive by Ukrainian forces to recover the Russian-occupied area of Kherson had started.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iaea-may-visit-russian-occupied-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-in-ukraine-509593" hreflang="en">IAEA may visit Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine</a>

According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian forces will be able to drive occupying Russian forces back to pre-2014 lines.

The focus of attention was on any harm Ukraine might have caused to Russian forces around the port city of Kherson, a significant economic centre near the Black Sea that has been a valued possession of Moscow since it began the invasion just over half a year ago.

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In the Kherson region, "strong explosions persisted throughout the day and night," according to a dispatch from the Ukrainian presidential office on Tuesday. Practically the entire strategic area is still rife with fierce fights. According to the report, Ukrainian forces have destroyed numerous ammunition storage facilities in the area as well as all substantial bridges over the Dnieper that are necessary for supplying the Russian soldiers.

The Russian state news agency Tass noted five explosions near Kherson on Tuesday morning; these explosions were likely caused by air defence systems.

Operation Command South of the Ukrainian military said that artillery fire was used to attack a dozen command posts in various areas of the Kherson region as well as a pontoon that Russian soldiers were erecting across the Dnieper.

Over the past few months, the war has come to a standstill, with casualties rising and the local population suffering disproportionately as a result of the constant shelling in the east and in the wider region surrounding the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has also been the focal point of fighting in Ukraine.

Amid fears the plant could be damaged, leading to a radioactive leak, a U.N. nuclear watchdog team has arrived in Kyiv and is further preparing a mission to safeguard the Russian-occupied plant from nuclear catastrophe.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for the International Atomic Energy Agency experts, who will visit the plant in a country where the 1986 Chernobyl disaster spewed radiation throughout the region, shocking the world and intensifying a global push away from nuclear energy.

The Crimean peninsula was acquired by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, sparking a crisis that was dormant until the February 24 invasion. The Kherson area lies just north of that peninsula.

A substantial portion of the annexed peninsula's fresh water supplies come from the North Crimea Canal, which has its beginnings just to the east of the city.

The city effectively acts as a link between the rest of Ukraine and the Crimean peninsula, which Russia has controlled since 2014.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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As it attempts to retake occupied Kherson, the Ukrainian military has claimed to have destroyed important Russian control stations, munitions, and stores. Kherson, a significant port city with access to important commercial, naval, and other sea routes, is just around 60 miles (100 km) from the Russian-occupied Crimea.

As it attempts to retake occupied Kherson, the Ukrainian military has claimed to have destroyed important Russian control stations, munitions, and stores. Kherson, a significant port city with access to important commercial, naval, and other sea routes, is just around 60 miles (100 km) from the Russian-occupied Crimea. A Ukrainian official claims that progress has been achieved in the counteroffensive that the government is waging in the south. Russian troops are leaving certain locations where Ukraine has begun a counteroffensive, according to a spokesperson for Ukraine's southern military command on Monday. The military command declared on Monday that the counteroffensive by Ukrainian forces to recover the Russian-occupied area of Kherson had started. Also read | IAEA may visit Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian forces will be able to drive occupying Russian forces back to pre-2014 lines. The focus of attention was on any harm Ukraine might have caused to Russian forces around the port city of Kherson, a significant economic centre near the Black Sea that has been a valued possession of Moscow since it began the invasion just over half a year ago. “The occupiers must know: we will chase them to the border. To our border, which line has not been changed.If they want to survive - it’s time for the Russian military to run away ... If they do not hear me - they will have to deal with our defenders, who will not stop until they free everything that belongs to Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address Monday. × In the Kherson region, "strong explosions persisted throughout the day and night," according to a dispatch from the Ukrainian presidential office on Tuesday. Practically the entire strategic area is still rife with fierce fights. According to the report, Ukrainian forces have destroyed numerous ammunition storage facilities in the area as well as all substantial bridges over the Dnieper that are necessary for supplying the Russian soldiers. The Russian state news agency Tass noted five explosions near Kherson on Tuesday morning; these explosions were likely caused by air defence systems. Operation Command South of the Ukrainian military said that artillery fire was used to attack a dozen command posts in various areas of the Kherson region as well as a pontoon that Russian soldiers were erecting across the Dnieper. Over the past few months, the war has come to a standstill, with casualties rising and the local population suffering disproportionately as a result of the constant shelling in the east and in the wider region surrounding the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has also been the focal point of fighting in Ukraine. Amid fears the plant could be damaged, leading to a radioactive leak, a U.N. nuclear watchdog team has arrived in Kyiv and is further preparing a mission to safeguard the Russian-occupied plant from nuclear catastrophe. The stakes couldn’t be higher for the International Atomic Energy Agency experts, who will visit the plant in a country where the 1986 Chernobyl disaster spewed radiation throughout the region, shocking the world and intensifying a global push away from nuclear energy. The Crimean peninsula was acquired by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, sparking a crisis that was dormant until the February 24 invasion. The Kherson area lies just north of that peninsula. A substantial portion of the annexed peninsula's fresh water supplies come from the North Crimea Canal, which has its beginnings just to the east of the city. The city effectively acts as a link between the rest of Ukraine and the Crimean peninsula, which Russia has controlled since 2014. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'We will chase them to the border,’ says Zelensky, as Ukraine battles to retake Kherson 

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to retake its annexed Crimea peninsula from Russia by any means necessary and added that Kyiv would consult with countries before taking such action.

The Ukrainian president made these comments at the second iteration of the Crimea Platform on Tuesday—an online gathering of 60 nations and international organisations hosted by Kyiv focused on the peninsula.

"We will take back Crimea- it is our territory. We will do this in any way which we decide. We will decide this by ourselves, without consultation with any other country in the world," he told reporters.

"Ukraine is strong enough and powerful enough to see a perspective for Ukrainian Crimea. We will bring freedom to Ukrainian citizens in Crimea, and we will restore justice to all those who suffered from the repressions and abuses of the Russian occupiers," Zelensky was quoted as saying by Newsweek.

"I know that Crimea is with Ukraine, is waiting for us to return. I want all of you to know that we will return. We need to win the fight against Russian aggression. Therefore, we need to free Crimea from&nbsp;occupation.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-is-on-high-alert-as-i-day-approaches-top-ukrainian-official-tells-wion-509536" hreflang="en">Ukraine is on high alert as I-day approaches, top Ukraine official tells WION</a>

Speaking of Ukraine's war with Russia, Zelensky said, “It began with Crimea, it will end with Crimea."

Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 following the pro-Western Maidan Revolution. The peninsula served as a launchpad for Russia’s full-scale invasion in February this year, seizing chunks of Ukraine's southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iaea-may-visit-russian-occupied-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-in-ukraine-509593" hreflang="en">IAEA may visit Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine</a>

In recent weeks, Ukraine has increased its attacks in Crimea, with long-range&nbsp;weapons and drones&nbsp;targeting air bases, transport hubs, logistics depots, and command centres, triggering panic among Russians in Crimea, according to reports.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to retake its annexed Crimea peninsula from Russia by any means necessary and added that Kyiv would consult with countries before taking such action.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to retake its annexed Crimea peninsula from Russia by any means necessary and added that Kyiv would consult with countries before taking such action. The Ukrainian president made these comments at the second iteration of the Crimea Platform on Tuesday—an online gathering of 60 nations and international organisations hosted by Kyiv focused on the peninsula. "We will take back Crimea- it is our territory. We will do this in any way which we decide. We will decide this by ourselves, without consultation with any other country in the world," he told reporters. "Ukraine is strong enough and powerful enough to see a perspective for Ukrainian Crimea. We will bring freedom to Ukrainian citizens in Crimea, and we will restore justice to all those who suffered from the repressions and abuses of the Russian occupiers," Zelensky was quoted as saying by Newsweek. "I know that Crimea is with Ukraine, is waiting for us to return. I want all of you to know that we will return. We need to win the fight against Russian aggression. Therefore, we need to free Crimea from occupation.” Also read | Ukraine is on high alert as I-day approaches, top Ukraine official tells WION Speaking of Ukraine's war with Russia, Zelensky said, “It began with Crimea, it will end with Crimea." Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 following the pro-Western Maidan Revolution. The peninsula served as a launchpad for Russia’s full-scale invasion in February this year, seizing chunks of Ukraine's southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. Also read | IAEA may visit Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine In recent weeks, Ukraine has increased its attacks in Crimea, with long-range weapons and drones targeting air bases, transport hubs, logistics depots, and command centres, triggering panic among Russians in Crimea, according to reports. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Ukrainian President Zelensky vows to retake annexed Crimea from Russia

President Vladimir Putin on Monday opened a rail route linking Russia's two biggest cities to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/apple-taking-a-deeper-look-at-map-policies-after-calling-crimea-part-of-russia-265344">Crimea</a>, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014, and said it proved that the country could deliver on giant infrastructure projects.

Putin inaugurated the passenger service by personally taking a train across the road and rail bridge which Russian engineers built to link Crimea to southern Russia after an earlier pre-annexation route which ran through Ukraine was shut down.

"With your work, talent, determination and single-mindedness, you've shown that Russia is able to do such world-scale infrastructure projects. This is after all the longest bridge not only in Russia but also in Europe," Putin told a crowd of construction workers.

"And you've shown that we can do such large-scale projects using our own technological abilities. This, without exaggeration, gives us all confidence that we can and definitely will do similar projects in the future."

European Union sanctions ban European citizens and companies from investing in Crimea, including in the peninsula's transport and infrastructure, something which complicated Russia's drive to build the 212-billion-rouble ($3.4 billion) bridge.

Construction of the bridge, which is 19 km long, was opposed by Ukraine, which says it wants the Black Sea peninsula back. The Kremlin has ruled out returning Crimea.

The bridge, likely to be viewed as an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-slams-apple-for-calling-crimea-part-of-russia-265091">important part of Putin's legacy</a>, was designed to integrate Crimea into Russia's economy and to end its relative isolation by allowing Russia to supply it by road and rail as well as by sea and air.

Putin said the new rail route would carry around 14 million passengers and about 13 million tonnes of freight next year.

Holiday destination

Russian state television has likened the bridge to a multi-billion-dollar <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/most-indian-crew-safe-in-russian-ship-wreck-claims-dgs-192106">railway project</a> under Communist leader Leonid Brezhnev which linked Siberia to the Soviet far east.

The first passenger train carrying 530 people left St Petersburg on Monday afternoon as Putin watched via video link from a location near the bridge in Russia's Krasnodar region.

The passenger service from Moscow is due to start on Tuesday, while freight and passenger services from other Russian cities are due to commence next year.

Russia has relentlessly promoted Crimea, a favoured holiday destination in the Soviet era, as an attractive place for Russians to soak up the sun.

The contract to build the bridge was handed to Arkady Rotenberg, Putin's childhood judo partner, who controlled the lead contractor. He accompanied Putin on Monday.

President Vladimir Putin on Monday opened a rail route linking Russia's two biggest cities to Crimea, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014, and said it proved that the country could deliver on giant infrastructure projects.

President Vladimir Putin on Monday opened a rail route linking Russia's two biggest cities to Crimea, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014, and said it proved that the country could deliver on giant infrastructure projects. Putin inaugurated the passenger service by personally taking a train across the road and rail bridge which Russian engineers built to link Crimea to southern Russia after an earlier pre-annexation route which ran through Ukraine was shut down. "With your work, talent, determination and single-mindedness, you've shown that Russia is able to do such world-scale infrastructure projects. This is after all the longest bridge not only in Russia but also in Europe," Putin told a crowd of construction workers. "And you've shown that we can do such large-scale projects using our own technological abilities. This, without exaggeration, gives us all confidence that we can and definitely will do similar projects in the future." European Union sanctions ban European citizens and companies from investing in Crimea, including in the peninsula's transport and infrastructure, something which complicated Russia's drive to build the 212-billion-rouble ($3.4 billion) bridge. Construction of the bridge, which is 19 km long, was opposed by Ukraine, which says it wants the Black Sea peninsula back. The Kremlin has ruled out returning Crimea. The bridge, likely to be viewed as an important part of Putin's legacy, was designed to integrate Crimea into Russia's economy and to end its relative isolation by allowing Russia to supply it by road and rail as well as by sea and air. Putin said the new rail route would carry around 14 million passengers and about 13 million tonnes of freight next year. Holiday destination Russian state television has likened the bridge to a multi-billion-dollar railway project under Communist leader Leonid Brezhnev which linked Siberia to the Soviet far east. The first passenger train carrying 530 people left St Petersburg on Monday afternoon as Putin watched via video link from a location near the bridge in Russia's Krasnodar region. The passenger service from Moscow is due to start on Tuesday, while freight and passenger services from other Russian cities are due to commence next year. Russia has relentlessly promoted Crimea, a favoured holiday destination in the Soviet era, as an attractive place for Russians to soak up the sun. The contract to build the bridge was handed to Arkady Rotenberg, Putin's childhood judo partner, who controlled the lead contractor. He accompanied Putin on Monday.

Russian President Putin inaugurates rail route to annexed Crimea

Finland&#39;s moderate President Sauli Niinisto cruised to a rare first-round election win on Sunday as his delicate balancing of ties with neighbour Russia and the US-led NATO military alliance resonated with voters.

The 69-year-old Niinisto, known for cultivating good relations with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, won his second six-year term with an overwhelming 62.7 percent of the vote. His closest rival, Pekka Haavisto of the Greens of Finland, secured just 12.4 percent.

&quot;I am very surprised at this kind of support. I must think hard how to be worthy of it,&quot; Niinisto told reporters.

&quot;I have no intention of making changes just for the sake of making changes. We will follow very closely what is happening outside of Finland, globally, and if needed, then we will surely react.&quot;

Pro-EU Niinisto became the first candidate to win a first round victory since the electoral system was changed to a direct popular vote in 1994.

Eurosceptic politicians, Laura Huhtasaari from the nationalist Finns Party and independent Paavo Vayrynen, won 6.9 percent and 6.2 percent of votes, respectively. Turnout was 69.9 percent.

During his first term, Niinisto was instrumental in maintaining relations with Moscow, despite the country backing western economic sanctions against Russia over its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Finland, which shares an 833-mile (1,340 km) border and a difficult history with Russia, has also developed closer ties with NATO but stopped short of full membership in line with a tradition of avoiding confrontation with Russia.

The president is in charge of foreign and defence policy together with the government, but otherwise the post has become largely ceremonial in the past few decades.

Niinisto has appeared as a low-profile middle-man between East and West, in sharp contrast to his Baltic counterparts who regularly speak out against Moscow.

He was the first Western leader to meet Putin following the annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula, and he has also actively pushed for an air safety agreement in the Baltic region.

Father of the nation

Niinisto hopes for the EU to strengthen its defence cooperation, and declines to lock in a stance on Finland&#39;s future NATO membership.

&quot;I think there is no reason to seek a (NATO) membership as long as circumstances are as they are now,&quot; Niinisto said on Sunday. &quot;But if there are crucial changes in the environment, then we might be in a different situation.&quot;

Niinisto originally belonged to the co-ruling, centre-right National Coalition Party but campaigned this time around as an independent.

&quot;When ties between European Union and Russia are tense, people are satisfied that Niinisto has been able to maintain pragmatic and functional dialogue with Russia,&quot; said Markku Jokisipila, director at the Centre for Parliamentary Studies of the University of Turku.

Apart from his long service in politics, Niinisto also taps into sympathy from many Finns because of a series of personal dramas.

A lawyer by training, he was finance minister in the 1990s, becoming known for his government&#39;s austerity measures following Finland&#39;s recession, as well as the decision to join the euro area.

He lost his first wife in a car accident in 1995. He was in Thailand during the deadly 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and survived by climbing up an electricity pole with his son.

He expects a baby with his wife Jenni Haukio, 40.

&quot;His habits reflect his experience and ordeal, and that combined with his very moderate policy statements makes him a kind of &#39;father of a nation&#39; figure,&quot; said Juho Rahkonen, Research Manager at pollster Taloustutkimus.

The result underlined how presidential candidates are to a large extent given priority over their parties, analysts said.

Matti Vanhanen, a candidate from Prime Minister Juha Sipila&#39;s Centre Party, received only 4.1 percent of votes, while the biggest opposition party Social Democrats&#39; candidate, Tuula Haatainen, won just 3.3 percent.

While around 20 percent of Finns back the idea of joining NATO, the only pro-NATO candidate, Nils Torvalds from the Swedish People&#39;s Party, won only 1.5 percent of votes.

Sauli Niinisto won his second six-year term with an overwhelming 62.7 percent of the vote

Finland's moderate President Sauli Niinisto cruised to a rare first-round election win on Sunday as his delicate balancing of ties with neighbour Russia and the US-led NATO military alliance resonated with voters. The 69-year-old Niinisto, known for cultivating good relations with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, won his second six-year term with an overwhelming 62.7 percent of the vote. His closest rival, Pekka Haavisto of the Greens of Finland, secured just 12.4 percent. "I am very surprised at this kind of support. I must think hard how to be worthy of it," Niinisto told reporters. "I have no intention of making changes just for the sake of making changes. We will follow very closely what is happening outside of Finland, globally, and if needed, then we will surely react." Pro-EU Niinisto became the first candidate to win a first round victory since the electoral system was changed to a direct popular vote in 1994. Eurosceptic politicians, Laura Huhtasaari from the nationalist Finns Party and independent Paavo Vayrynen, won 6.9 percent and 6.2 percent of votes, respectively. Turnout was 69.9 percent. During his first term, Niinisto was instrumental in maintaining relations with Moscow, despite the country backing western economic sanctions against Russia over its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. Finland, which shares an 833-mile (1,340 km) border and a difficult history with Russia, has also developed closer ties with NATO but stopped short of full membership in line with a tradition of avoiding confrontation with Russia. The president is in charge of foreign and defence policy together with the government, but otherwise the post has become largely ceremonial in the past few decades. Niinisto has appeared as a low-profile middle-man between East and West, in sharp contrast to his Baltic counterparts who regularly speak out against Moscow. He was the first Western leader to meet Putin following the annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula, and he has also actively pushed for an air safety agreement in the Baltic region. Father of the nation Niinisto hopes for the EU to strengthen its defence cooperation, and declines to lock in a stance on Finland's future NATO membership. "I think there is no reason to seek a (NATO) membership as long as circumstances are as they are now," Niinisto said on Sunday. "But if there are crucial changes in the environment, then we might be in a different situation." Niinisto originally belonged to the co-ruling, centre-right National Coalition Party but campaigned this time around as an independent. "When ties between European Union and Russia are tense, people are satisfied that Niinisto has been able to maintain pragmatic and functional dialogue with Russia," said Markku Jokisipila, director at the Centre for Parliamentary Studies of the University of Turku. Apart from his long service in politics, Niinisto also taps into sympathy from many Finns because of a series of personal dramas. A lawyer by training, he was finance minister in the 1990s, becoming known for his government's austerity measures following Finland's recession, as well as the decision to join the euro area. He lost his first wife in a car accident in 1995. He was in Thailand during the deadly 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and survived by climbing up an electricity pole with his son. He expects a baby with his wife Jenni Haukio, 40. "His habits reflect his experience and ordeal, and that combined with his very moderate policy statements makes him a kind of 'father of a nation' figure," said Juho Rahkonen, Research Manager at pollster Taloustutkimus. The result underlined how presidential candidates are to a large extent given priority over their parties, analysts said. Matti Vanhanen, a candidate from Prime Minister Juha Sipila's Centre Party, received only 4.1 percent of votes, while the biggest opposition party Social Democrats' candidate, Tuula Haatainen, won just 3.3 percent. While around 20 percent of Finns back the idea of joining NATO, the only pro-NATO candidate, Nils Torvalds from the Swedish People's Party, won only 1.5 percent of votes.

Finns, worried by Russia, hand cautious president huge election win