The active phase of the Russian border operation is currently underway in the Kharkiv region. However, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have already blocked the Russian troops, according to Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov.
"The active phase of the Russian border operation in the Kharkiv region is underway. It is not true to say that they are having significant success. But we must remember that the situation is tense and changing very quickly," he says.
According to him, last night there was a tendency toward stabilization.
"That is, the enemy has already been blocked at the borders where it could have entered... The situation is not catastrophic. There is no need to panic. The main goal of the Russian Federation in this operation is an information operation to create chaos. To force our groups to retreat to the east. But this is not happening," Budanov says.
He says that the Russians have already deployed all the forces and means they had in the border area, and then they need to bring in their reserves. At the same time, the head of the DIU adds that Russia's resources are quite limited in the Kharkiv region.
"But they have not yet thrown all their forces into the battle. I think they will use everything they have in the coming days. Let's just say that everything they had in the border area has already been used. Then they need to bring in their reserves," Budanov adds.
Russian offensive in Kharkiv region
Last week, Russian troops launched an offensive in the north of Kharkiv region. They managed to occupy several settlements. Currently, the fighting continues in the northern outskirts of the city of Vovchansk.
According to National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksandr Lytvynenko, more than 30,000 Russian invaders are involved in the offensive in the Kharkiv region.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that the situation in the Kharkiv direction is difficult and changing rapidly.