Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from several villages in the Kharkiv border region due to ongoing Russian pressure.
Facing intense fire, soldiers have relocated to "more advantageous positions" in two northeastern areas, according to a military spokesperson. This type of language has commonly been used by Ukraine throughout the two-year conflict to indicate a strategic retreat.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has canceled all his upcoming foreign trips as Ukrainian forces work to manage the recent cross-border incursions, with many towns and villages under heavy attack. His press secretary, Sergiy Nykyforov, stated that the president has postponed all international events planned for the coming days to focus on the situation at home.
Moscow has announced that its forces have captured two more settlements in the Kharkiv region—Lukyantski and Hlyboke—and another one in the Zaporizhzhia region. Ukraine has yet to confirm these claims.
A Ukrainian military spokesperson explained that the decision to withdraw troops from the Lukyantsi and Vovchansk areas was made to "preserve the lives of our servicemen and avoid losses." Although Vovchansk's capture may not hold significant military value, it would still impact Ukrainian morale.
The military representative acknowledged the challenging situation but assured that Ukrainian forces are preventing Russian occupiers from establishing a stronghold. Ukraine's head of intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, previously mentioned that the front line has been stabilized.
Read also:
The Unwanted Legacy: How Putinism Follows Russians Abroad
Crisis in Kharkiv: Russian Forces Intensify Shelling, Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
In recent days, thousands of civilians have fled westward towards Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, including many from Vovchansk, located 74 kilometers (45 miles) away. Vovchansk's police chief, Oleksiy Kharkivskiy, reported intense fighting on social media, noting that Russian forces are setting up positions within the town.
"The situation is extremely difficult. The enemy is taking positions on the streets of Vovchansk," he said.
In response to the incursion, Kyiv has dispatched reinforcements to the Kharkiv region. President Zelensky's office confirmed on Wednesday that additional forces and reserves are being deployed.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Kyiv, marking the first visit by a senior US official since Congress approved a $61 billion aid package last month.
In other developments, Russia temporarily closed two major airports in the southwestern region of Kazan following targeted Ukrainian drone attacks. Ukraine has not commented on these strikes.
Maria Zakharova, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, accused Ukraine and its Western allies of "criminality" due to attacks in Russia's Belgorod border region. Despite this, Ukraine has agreed with Western allies to refrain from using provided missiles on targets within Russia itself.
Posts
0 Comments