News Wrap: Ukraine pushes Russian troops back in northeastern region

Geoff Bennett:

Good evening. It's good to be with you. We begin tonight in Ukraine with late breaking news of a counter offensive. Ukrainian officials say they've made major gains against Russian forces in the north eastern part of the country. If these advances hold it could mark the greatest strategic shift since Russia pulled its forces from Kyiv months ago. Nick Schifrin has our report from Kyiv.

Nick Schifrin:

Ukraine's anthem is titled, "Ukraine has Not Yet Perished." And today after more than six months of occupation, the blue and gold flies again in Balakliya.

Relieved residents embrace their liberators and offer the Ukrainian soldiers pancakes for unshackling them from Russian oppression. In the wake of Ukraine success, Russian forces leave behind devastation. The gains are the war's most dramatic events in months, Ukraine liberated dozens of towns in the Kharkiv Region, including Kupiansk, a key railway hub supply in Russia's front line and have now entered is Izyum, a critical Russian military and logistics stronghold.

Oleksii Reznikov, Minister of Defense, Ukraine: Liberation of our territories is significant, and we are going to liberate all temporarily occupied territories.

Nick Schifrin:

Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov told me at the Yalta European strategy conference that Ukrainian forces recaptured 500 square miles.

Oleksii Reznikov:

We will cut their logistic and after that they became weaker and weaker and weaker and they will run away army.

Nick Schifrin:

Today, the Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged their troops pulled back. Russia still controls a large amount of Ukrainian land. But tonight, Ukraine vows to march on and seize even more of its own territory. For "PBS News Weekend," I'm Nick Schifrin in Kyiv.

Geoff Bennett:

And in the U.K. today, an ancient right was ushered into a new era. Charles III was publicly proclaimed King earlier today in a ceremony not held since 1952. And televised for the first time ever.

No Name Given:

Three cheers for His Majesty the King. Hip Hip.

Crowd:

Hooray.

Unidentified Male:

Hip Hip.

Crowd:

Hooray.

Unidentified Male:

Hip Hip.

Crowd:

Hooray.

Geoff Bennett:

With the stroke of a pen surrounded by his son Prince William and his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, King Charles III sign his oath as the new monarch.

Later at Windsor Castle, the royal children greeted 10s of 1000s of well-wishers and viewed the many tributes to Queen Elizabeth II.

And at Balmoral Castle the summer retreat where she died, others lined up to honor the late Queen by laying bouquets. The late Queen's coffin will be taken from Balmoral tomorrow. She will lie in state at Westminster Hall of Parliament starting Wednesday and her state funeral will take place on Monday September 19 at Westminster Abbey.

Back here in the U.S., the Justice Department and former President Donald Trump's legal team have each proposed two candidates to serve as an independent arbiter to comb through what was found at Mr. Trump's Florida property last month. Lawyers for the former president want the special master to review all the recovered documents, but the Justice Department says classified records should be off limits.

And at the U.S. Open Carlos Alcaraz and American Frances Tiafoe both made their major semifinal debuts and a raucous match that had spectators on their feet. Alcaraz has prevailed and will face Norwegian Casper Ruud in the final. Tiafoe would have been the first American man to reach the U.S. Open final in 16 years. He was already the first black American man to reach the semis since 1972.

And in the women's final Tunisian Ons Jabeur has a shot at her first Grand Slam title against top ranked Iga Swiatek. Jabeur would be the first African woman to win the U.S. Open.

And still to come on "PBS News Weekend," the historic unforgiving heat gripping the West. And singer Santigold on her career and the issues that inspire her.