Kharkiv: Russian troops have intensified their assault on Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, engaging in heavy fighting on the outskirts of the border town of Vovchansk, according to Ukrainian military sources. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has described the situation as dire, with clashes escalating both there and in the east of the country.
The incursion into the Kharkiv region began on Friday, marking a significant northeastern front in the ongoing conflict that has predominantly raged in southern and eastern Ukraine. Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city, lies a mere 30 km (18 miles) from the Russian border.
Soldiers returning from combat missions near Vovchansk reported that the fighting had reached the town’s periphery, situated approximately 4 km from the border and 45 km from Kharkiv city. They described assisting fellow troops in breaking out of encirclement by Russian forces.
“Our boys got surrounded. We helped them. They got out and set up a defensive line along the street, inflicting considerable losses to enemy infantry,” recounted a Ukrainian soldier.
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According to Ukraine’s General Staff, Russian forces have achieved “tactical success” with 14 out of 22 attempted advances in the area still underway. Fighting is particularly intense around Vovchansk, with significant Russian forces mobilized for the assault, despite sustaining significant losses, with at least 100 reported dead.
The Russian military claims to have seized control of nine border villages in the Kharkiv region, while Kyiv asserts that it is repelling attacks and striving to maintain control over these settlements.
Tamaz Gambarashvili, head of Vovchansk’s military administration, affirmed that the town remains under Ukrainian control, with soldiers successfully repelling small groups of Russian forces. He noted the constant presence of Russian drones above Vovchansk.
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Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Synehubov reported an escalation in Russian shelling of Vovchansk, leading to the evacuation of nearly 6,000 residents from the area.
As the conflict intensifies, volunteers equipped with protective gear are rushing through village neighborhoods, urging residents to evacuate to safety. Despite the proximity of fighting, some residents are hesitant to leave, while others are slow to prepare for evacuation.
In his nightly address, President Zelenskiy acknowledged the defensive battles raging across Kharkiv region villages and highlighted the acute situation in the Donetsk region.
The conflict has put Ukraine on the defensive, exacerbated by delays in the delivery of U.S. munitions. Kyiv attributes setbacks on the battlefield to these delays and hopes for expedited delivery of approved aid packages to bolster its defense efforts.
Amidst the fighting, tragedy struck on the Russian side of the border, with a missile strike causing the collapse of a section of an apartment block in the Belgorod region, claiming the lives of at least 13 people. Russian officials claim the missile was launched by Ukraine and shot down by Russian forces, although Kyiv has not yet commented on the incident.
