LIVE – Ukraine: three new villages recaptured by kyiv forces from the Russian army

Europe 1 with AFP 9:30 a.m., October 6, 2022, modified at 9:31 a.m., October 6, 2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Wednesday that three new villages had been recaptured by kyiv forces from the Russian army in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine where Moscow troops are struggling.

"Novovoskresenske, Novogrygorivka and Petropavlivka in the Kherson region have been liberated in the last 24 hours," Zelensky said in a video posted on social media, assuring that the Ukrainian counter-offensive "continues".

Information to remember:

• Zelensky announces the takeover of new villages from the Russians in the South

• Ukraine is a candidate for the organization of the 2030 World Cup

Russian forces suffer a series of setbacks against the Ukrainian army

Russian President Vladimir Putin assured Wednesday that the military situation will "stabilize" in the Ukrainian territories which he claims the annexation but where his forces suffer a series of setbacks against the Ukrainian army.

A few hours earlier, Ukraine had announced that it was regaining ground in the Lugansk region (east), after its successes in those of Kherson (south) and Kharkiv (northeast).

"We assume that the situation will stabilize and that we can develop these areas peacefully," said Vladimir Putin.

Russia takes over Ukraine's Zaporizhia nuclear power plant

He signed a decree for Russia to formally appropriate the Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporijjia (south).

For his part, the head of the IAEA Rafael Grossi announced his departure for kyiv to discuss the "more urgent than ever" need for the establishment "of a protection zone around [this] power plant.

Even as it retreats on the ground, Russia has proclaimed the annexation of four regions of Ukraine (Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporijjia) which it partially controls, following "referendums" denounced by kyiv and its Western allies.

A sign of disarray in Russia, the army's setbacks led a senior parliamentary official to call on it to "stop lying" about its defeats.

Zelensky hails 'symbol of victory' after Ukraine joins Iberian bid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday hailed a "symbol of victory" after his country joined the joint candidacy of Spain and Portugal for the organization of the 2030 World Cup, while kyiv faces a Russian invasion.

This candidacy "is more than a symbol of faith in our common victory," he wrote on Twitter.

“Ukraine will endure, prevail and be rebuilt through the solidarity of its partners,” he added.

"This is our joint candidacy. The chances of it being satisfied are quite high," Zelensky said in a video posted on social media.

He considered it "very symbolic" that two EU countries, Spain and Portugal, and Ukraine, which aspires to join, "will be able to organize the World Cup together".

The three countries hope that their joint candidacy will be a "source of inspiration for society through football, sending a message of solidarity and hope", according to the press release from the Spanish federation (RFEF) announcing the integration of Ukraine.

Fifa's decision is expected in 2024. The other official bid is made up of Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Paraguay.