NewsVovchansk: Ukraine holds firm amid intense Russian offensive

Vovchansk: Ukraine holds firm amid intense Russian offensive

Following the attack by Russian troops on the outskirts of Kharkiv
Following the attack by Russian troops on the outskirts of Kharkiv
Images source: © PAP | Mykola Kalyeniak

20 May 2024 07:53

The Deputy Head of the Kharkiv Regional Government, Roman Semenucha, said on Monday on Ukrainian state television that despite the ongoing Russian offensive, they have managed to defend most of the border town of Vovchansk from the enemy. However, the Russian attacks are relentless, and the situation could change at any moment.

Russia is sparing no effort to achieve significant success on the battlefront against Ukraine in the border area near Kharkiv. The attacks are particularly intense around the town of Vovchansk.

"About 60 percent of the town is controlled by Ukrainian forces, but that means the attacks do not cease," said Roman Semenucha on Monday, emphasizing that the enemy is relentlessly advancing, trying to push Ukrainian soldiers out of the town. The defenders are still managing to resist.

The Ukrainian army fiercely defends Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region. They have understood the Russian objectives

According to PAP, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported the latest update on the situation in the Kharkiv region. According to these reports, the Ukrainians are still managing to defend against Putin's army's massive attacks.

"The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled the enemy's attack in the direction of the village of Starytsia. The situation is under control. Additionally, our units have strengthened defensive lines and positions in some areas. In the Kupiansk sector, our defenders successfully repelled the enemy's attack on Synkivka. Here, too, the situation is under control," said the General Staff's statement on Telegram.

Earlier, the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko, reported that Vovchansk is being systematically destroyed, and the Russians are levelling the town with the ground using guided aerial bombs. The tense situation in this area has been noted since May 10.

The Kharkiv region is located next to the Belgorod region in Russia. Russian forces intend, as Ukrainian military officials believe, to create a 10-kilometre buffer zone in this area. This would put Kharkiv within the range of Russian tube artillery while keeping Russian logistical centers out of the reach of Ukrainian forces.