Ukrainian troops counterattacking against Russian forces in the country's northeast have pushed them back from the city of Kharkiv and advanced as far as the border with Russia, Ukrainian officials said Monday.
The developments, if confirmed, would signal a further shift in momentum in favor of Ukrainian forces nearly three months into the conflict, which began when Russia sent tens of thousands of troops over the border into Ukraine on Feb. 24.
Moscow meanwhile warned of "far-reaching consequences" should Finland and Sweden go ahead with plans to join the NATO military alliance — a change in the Nordic countries' long-standing policy of neutrality brought on by concern about Russian President Vladimir Putin's wider ambitions.