Ukrainian forces have gained some momentum in fighting against Russian forces and are trying to press their advantage. They have managed to retake some areas the Russians want to annex.

Ukrainian troops have made breakthroughs in the southern region of Kherson. They released video on Monday of soldiers from one brigade raising their flag over the village of Myrolyubivka.

On Sunday, other units recaptured the strategic rail hub of Lyman in the eastern region of Donbas. Now, they are pushing further east. They are undermining the case President Vladimir Putin has made about bringing the region under his control.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, "The enemy army is suffering more and more losses. There is a growing understanding that Russia made a mistake by starting the war."

Russian lawmakers have tried to add some legitimacy to a process Western leaders have said is illegal. On Monday, members of the lower house of parliament were unanimous in approving laws on annexing four regions of Ukraine.

"The goals and tasks of the special military operation have been set. They will be achieved, without a doubt," said Vyacheslav Volodin, the Chairman of the State Duma.

Still, Putin and his aides are struggling to explain their losses, even to close allies. The leader of the southern region of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, criticized military leaders over their setbacks. He suggested they use a tactical nuclear weapon on the battlefield.

Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said emotion should be kept out of such assessments, even in "difficult moments."