The situation in the Kharkiv direction against the backdrop of the Russian offensive remains complicated and is changing dynamically. There are battles for Vovchansk, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russian assaults and battles in Kharkiv region
The Ukrainian military command noted that fighting is taking place in four areas:
- Pylna - Lukiantsi,
- Pylna - Hlyboke,
- Pylna - Oliinykove,
- Murom - Buhruvatka.
The Russian troops are also conducting assault operations in five directions:
- Strilecha - Hlyboke,
- Oliinykove - Hlyboke,
- Oliinykove - Lukiantsi,
- Murom - Starytsa,
- Pletenivka - Tykhe.
During the day, Russian troops carried out 22 assault actions in these areas, 14 of which are still ongoing, Ukrainian General Staff reports.
Fighting for Vovchansk
"Battles are ongoing for the border town of Vovchansk. Russia has deployed significant forces of up to 5 battalions to attack the city and is not counting its losses," the Ukrainian military command says in a statement.
Thus, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine clarifies that the Russian occupiers lost more than 100 soldiers in this area alone over the past day.
Russia is currently having tactical success.
Ukrainian Defense Forces' actions
"Measures have been planned to destroy the Russian troops that have intervened in our defense. Our defenders are conducting defensive actions, inflicting fire damage on the enemy, widely using unmanned systems to conduct reconnaissance and launch targeted strikes to inflict maximum losses," the Ukrainian General Staff says.
The deployment of reserves to stabilize the situation is also underway.
The General Staff added that in determining the tasks for the troops, one of the main priorities is to save the lives of the soldiers of the Defense Forces.
Situation in Kharkiv region
Since Friday, May 10, the situation in the Kharkiv region has become significantly more complicated due to the intensification of Russian offensives in the region. Russian occupants are trying to advance deep into the Kharkiv region. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are holding back the enemy, and combat operations are underway.
On the evening of May 12, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained Russia's plan in the Kharkiv region and the Armed Forces' main task at the moment.
Read more about what Russia is up to and why it started fighting in the Kharkiv region in RBC-Ukraine's report.