Russia launches ground offensive in Kharkiv area | War in Ukraine

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said Russia launched a ground offensive Friday in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region and attempted to “break through defense lines” as fighting continued.

The region has not been the target of such attacks since Kremlin troops withdrew from almost the entire Kharkiv region in the fall of 2022 in the face of a Ukrainian counteroffensive.

While the extent of this new Russian move is still unclear, Ukraine has feared an attack in the region for weeks.

During the previous day, the enemy carried out airstrikes in the Vovchansk sectoralong the border with the Russian region of Belgorod, with guided aerial bombs, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said.

am, the enemy tried to break through our defense lines using armored vehicles”,”text”:”At 5 am, the enemy tried to break through our defense lines using armored vehicles”}}”>Around 5 am, the enemy tried to break through our defense lines using armored vehiclesIt added the same evidence, without specifying the exact location of the attack.

The ministry confirmed that the attacks had taken place pushed backBut only Fights of varying intensity Continuous and reserve units were used Strengthen security of the area.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, A Fierce battle Still ongoing.

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Russia has launched a new wave of counteroffensive operations in this directionHe said midway through a press conference as he confirmed his staff know that And was He answered the enemy with fire.

Local governor Oleg Sinekupov complied All offensive actions Pushed back and no No territory lost.

Nevertheless, he confirmed it during an interview aired on national television Fighting in action held in kilometers”,”text”:”1 or 2 kilometers”}}”>1 or 2 kilometers From the Russian border.

A civilian was killed in Vovsansk and five others were injured during the morning strike, he said earlier in Telegram, while another civilian was killed in a strike in the Kharkiv city of Cherkassy Tychy.

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Strategic area

Located in the northeast of Ukraine, the region is home to the country’s second city, Kharkiv, which is a key Kremlin target.

Moscow’s troops One kilometer sunk in the territory of Ukraine Try to progress up to Ten kilometersA senior source in the Ukrainian military command said on Friday.

Trying to build Russia Buffer It is regularly targeted to prevent Ukraine from attacking the Russian region of Belgorod.

The Kharkiv region has been bombed frequently in recent months, particularly its energy infrastructure, and Ukraine has been worried about a new Russian offensive in the region for weeks.

A local official said evacuations were ordered around Vovsansk.

city [de Vovtchansk] Currently under massive bombardment. Residents have never seen such strikes beforehe told Ukrainian media Hromadske Radio.

According to him, the shooting has intensified since 3 am in this town of 3,000 people.

Ukrainian military channel Deepstate The telegram says that it is with the enemy implemented Operations in the region and attempts to enter the border areas of Stryletsa, Krasne, Pilna, Borysivka, Kadyshche and Bledenivka.

The resources amassed by the enemy currently do not permit deep penetrationAssessing the purpose of this action, he committed to this source to disrupt border

A weak Ukrainian army

According to the Rybar Telegram channel, near the Moscow army, Russian units stationed in their country carried out strikes. Reduces defense capabilities Ukrainians and combat groups Advances started to purify in the area.

Rybar experts rate it as a war zone In some places it extends to a depth of two to three kilometers And it’s not a large-scale attack for now, but rather a The intelligence operation was successfully carried out.

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In general, the Ukrainian army has been struggling on the front lines, weakened by a lack of recruitment and delays in the delivery of Western aid, which has significantly depleted its ammunition reserves.

Washington confirmed the $61 billion in aid in late April as a major relief to Q, but it will be a while before the aid takes effect on the battlefield.

In contrast, Russian forces claimed limited territorial gains, mainly in the east, at the cost of heavy human losses, but made no real advances.

Russia, benefiting from more men, weapons and a more powerful defense sector, regained the initiative after the failed Ukrainian offensive in the summer of 2023.