Ukrainian forces retook control over the capital of Kyiv on Saturday, according to a Ukrainian defense official, with Russian armed forces pulling away from the city.

Ukrainian forces retake Kyiv, senior Ukrainian defense official sayshttps://t.co/Si6b0oQOiK pic.twitter.com/XakwFfhhhp

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) April 3, 2022

“Meanwhile, Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia said Saturday that draft peace treaty documents between Ukraine and Russia were at an advanced enough stage to allow for direct talks between Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. He indicated there was a high probability that such a meeting could take place in Turkey,” NBC News reported.

“In the southern city of Mariupol meanwhile, tens of thousands of people remain trapped with scant access to food and water in the city that has been encircled since the early days of Russia’s five-week-old invasion,” the report added.

BREAKING: Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Anna Malyar confirms the whole of Kyiv Oblast has now been liberated from Russian occupation. Slava Ukraini! pic.twitter.com/2qXnOWB58K

— Business Ukraine mag (@Biz_Ukraine_Mag) April 2, 2022

As Russian forces pulled away, many were allowed to see the massive damage to the Kyiv region and the surrounding areas after weeks of bombings.

The violent destruction has led to the deaths of many in the area, including children, leading Ukrainian officials and world leaders to accuse Russia of war crimes.

The new victory is a positive sign, but the invasion is far from over as Russian forces refocus attacks on the Donbas region.