Ukraine’s stunning counteroffensive in its northeast likely marks a turning point in the war and has profound consequences for Russia’s position going forward, according to military analysts. The counteroffensive has seen Russia’s frontline in the Kharkiv region collapse in less than a week, forcing thousands of its troops to retreat as Ukrainian troops have recaptured hundreds of square miles of territory, officials said. The defeat not only removes Russia’s ability to threaten Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv, but also likely ends Russia’s ability to mount any major offensives in Ukraine again, the analysts said. It also will have a major knock-on effect on Russia’s capacity to hold its positions on the other fronts around the country. It means in the long-run, the war now favors Ukraine, they said. #ukraine #war #russia