Europe | The turning tide

Ukraine sees a window of opportunity to push Russia back

But a long struggle looms in the east

ON MARCH 28TH Ukraine’s general staff warned that the Russian army, within striking distance of Kyiv, still wanted to take the capital. A week later that army had largely evaporated from both sides of the Dnieper river north of the city. As Russian troops retreated to Belarus and Russia, pursued by Ukrainians, Kyiv began returning to normal. No shots, shells or missiles have been heard since March 30th. Non-essential shops are re-opening. Vitaly Klitschko, the mayor, has urged civilians to wait until the end of the week to return; not all are heeding his advice. But although the battle is won, the war is not.

This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “The turning tide”

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