Kyiv: In response to the advancing Russian forces and intensified attacks on settlements along the border, Ukraine has executed a tactical withdrawal of troops from several villages in the northeastern Kharkiv region, according to official sources in Kyiv.
The military maneuver comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on an unannounced visit to Kyiv, responding to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call to expedite US arms supplies to Ukraine.
Last week, Moscow initiated a surprise ground assault on the Kharkiv region, part of its broader offensive strategy amid Kyiv’s struggle for military resources and personnel.
Ukrainian military officials, in a statement late Tuesday, outlined the specifics of the troop pullback, citing enemy fire and ground assaults as factors prompting the strategic repositioning around the villages of Lukyantsi and Vovchansk. The move aimed to safeguard Ukrainian servicemen’s lives and minimize losses, the statement emphasized.
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“In some areas, around Lukyantsi and Vovchansk, in response to enemy fire and assaults from ground troops, and to save the lives of our servicemen and avoid losses, our units maneuvered and moved to more advantageous positions,” the Ukrainian military said.
Amid the ongoing conflict, both sides have employed the rhetoric of shifting to “advantageous positions” to denote tactical retreats, a linguistic nuance reflecting the complexities of the battlefield dynamics.
“Lukyantsi and Vovchansk are critical areas for us. We had to make a tough decision, but it was necessary to ensure our forces’ safety,” stated Colonel Petrov, a commanding officer overseeing operations in the region.
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Despite the challenging circumstances, Ukraine’s General Staff affirmed its forces’ resilience, asserting their commitment to thwarting Russian advances and preventing the establishment of footholds by the aggressors.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Kyiv has expedited reinforcements to the region to forestall any potential breaches by Russian forces.
Analysts speculate that Moscow’s assault on the Kharkiv region may be aimed at diverting Ukrainian resources from other critical fronts, such as the strategic town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region, which has also witnessed Russian encroachments.
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“In Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, our troops are facing some of the toughest battles. But we will stand firm and defend our land,” President Zelensky affirmed during a televised address.
Meanwhile, Kyiv took steps to alleviate pressure on its energy infrastructure, rescinding emergency power blackouts imposed to manage the strain exacerbated by Russian shelling.
The cancellation of power cuts in various regions, including Kyiv, Odesa, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk, followed a period of inclement weather compounded by the destruction of key energy facilities due to Russian attacks.
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Blinken’s visit coincided with reports from the Russian defense ministry confirming the capture of two additional villages in the Kharkiv region by Russian forces. During discussions with Blinken, President Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s plea for additional Patriot air defense systems to fortify border defenses.
Ukrainian authorities estimate that over 30,000 Russian troops have been deployed to the northeastern region. However, they maintain that Kharkiv, the regional hub and Ukraine’s second-largest city, remains beyond immediate threat from the ongoing offensive.
