Battle for southern Ukraine intensifies as Zelensky calls for outright victory

KYIV, Ukraine – Ukraine continues its counter-offensive aimed at freeing its southern regions from Russian control, as the two countries continue to dispute over a nuclear power plant and the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky underlined the importance for Ukraine of a complete victory.

Moscow has transferred forces to southern Ukraine in recent days to bolster its positions and counter an offensive that Ukrainian officials privately say is already underway, with the two sides trading blows.