Ukraine has taken back the 'whole Kyiv region' from Russian troops, the country's deputy defence minister said today as the fightback against the invaders continues.  

In a statement posted on social media, Hanna Maliar said: 'Irpin, Bucha, Gostomel and the whole Kyiv region were liberated from the invader.'   Irpin and Bucha, commuters towns outside Kyiv, were retaken by the Ukrainian army this week. Both towns have suffered vast destruction and high civilian death tolls.   

Bucha's mayor said 280 people had been buried in a mass grave in the town and that corpses littered the streets.   At least 200 people have been killed in Irpin, a suburb of Kyiv, since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, while Gostomel, near Kyiv, was the setting of heavy fighting to take control of the airfield there.  Ukraine has said Russia is withdrawing from northern areas and appears to be focusing on the east and south of the country.  Downing Street said that Boris Johnson had called to congratulate Ukrainian President Zelensky's 'brave armed forces' for successfully pushing back Russia's invading forces and agreed to continue increasing the economic pressure on Vladimir Putin. 

It came as once-bustling highways on the outskirts of Kyiv have now become a graveyard for scores of Vladimir Putin's tanks as the Ukrainians continue their successful counterattacks around the capital.... Read More: Daily Mail