Zelensky says Ukraine has doubled its recaptured territory

President Volodymyr Zelensky says his forces have retaken over 2,000 sq km (772 sq miles) in a rapid counter-offensive in eastern Ukraine.

His latest update, if confirmed, means Kyiv’s forces have more than doubled their gains in little over 24 hours.

Ukraine’s rapid advance saw troops enter the key towns of Izyum and Kupiansk on Saturday.

But UK defence officials have warned that fighting has continued outside those towns.

Russia’s defence ministry confirmed its forces’ retreat, which it said would allow its forces “to regroup” in territory held by Moscow-backed separatists.

The Russian ministry also confirmed the withdrawal of troops from a third key town, Balaklyia, in order to “bolster efforts” on the Donetsk front. Ukrainian forces entered the town on Friday.

Meanwhile, the head of the Russia-installed administration in the Kharkiv region recommended that its people evacuate to Russia “to save lives”.

Unverified footage on social media appeared to show long queues of traffic building up at border crossings.

And the governor of the Belgorod border region in Russia said mobile catering, heating, and medical assistance would be available to people queuing.

The pace of the counter-attack has not only caught the Russians off guard, but even surprised some Ukrainians.

But Russians still hold around a fifth of the country, and few imagine a swift end to the war.

The Ukrainian advances – if held – would be the most significant frontline changes since Russia withdrew from areas around Kyiv in April.

Kupiansk had served as Russia’s main eastern supply hub and the loss of Izyum – which Moscow spent over a month trying to take at the beginning of the war – would be seen as a major humiliation for President Vladimir Putin.

According to one military expert, the advance marks the first time since World War Two that whole Russian units have been lost.

The gains will also be seen as a sign that Ukraine’s army has the capacity to retake occupied territory – crucial as Kyiv continues to ask hard-pressed Western allies for military support.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said the latest developments showed its forces could end the war faster with more Western weapons.

Journalists have been denied access to the frontlines, and Ukraine is determined to control the information war.

On Saturday, UK defence officials suggested that much of the retaken area was only “lightly held”.

Ukraine launched its counter-offensive in the east earlier this week, while international attention was focused on an anticipated advance near the southern city of Kherson.

Analysts believe Russia redirected some of its most seasoned troops to defend the city.

But as well as gaining ground in the east, Ukraine is also making gains in the south, an official said.

Nataliya Gumenyuk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian army’s southern command, said they had advanced “between two and several dozens of kilometres” along that front.

But Russian forces fighting on the southern front are said to have dug into defensive positions, and Ukraine’s troops have faced heavy resistance since the offensive began.

And in Kharkiv itself, one person was killed and several homes damaged on Saturday as Russian rocket fire hit the city, according to local officials.