Ukrainian Armed Forces control approximately 60% of Vovchansk, but the city remains under ongoing attacks, according to Roman Semenukha, the deputy head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration.
"We are facing continuous shelling. The enemy persists in their assault, primarily focusing on the directions of the settlements of Lyptsi and Vovchansk, and the left-right flanks of the city of Vovchansk," he said.
Semenukha further added that the enemy hit Lyptsi with guided aerial bombs multiple times today.
"The enemy is relentless in attempting to force the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of the city center of Vovchansk. The city is approximately 60% under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, indicating that the assaults are far from abating," he said.
He also mentioned that this morning, there was a halt in combat actions on the Kupiansk direction.
"Today, Ukrainian Armed Forces are conducting their assault operations in certain areas to improve positions. And there are shelling incidents along the border. These include the Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv, and Chuhuyiv districts," Semenukha added.
Russian advance on Kharkiv region
Since the beginning of May, there has been an intensification of Russian military activities in the Kharkiv region. Invaders have initiated offensive actions, concentrating their efforts on seizing the border town of Vovchansk and advancing towards Kharkiv.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports that the Russian army is engaged in active combat to displace Ukrainian defenders near Vovchansk, Stanytsia, and Lyptsi.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this Russian offensive is purely propagandistic in nature. The leadership of the aggressor country aims to demonstrate to the West that Moscow allegedly maintains control over the course of the war in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said that such actions by the occupiers are aimed at influencing the leaders of Western countries and compelling them to make certain concessions.
For more details on the situation in the Kharkiv region, read RBC-Ukraine's full coverage.