Russia launches major offensive in Kharkiv region
Russian troops on Friday launched a major attack on Ukraine's Kharkiv region, forcing Ukrainian troops to reposition and defend against a new front.
Russian forces appear to have launched the offensive from the Russia's Belgorod region and are moving toward the town of Vovchansk, which lies north of Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reported that forces were defending strongholds in Kharkiv after Russian forces launched airstrikes and artillery fire ahead of an early morning armored vehicle offensive.
"As of now, these attacks have been repelled; battles of varying intensity continue," the Ministry of Defense wrote on X. "Reserve units have been deployed to strengthen the defense in this area of the front. The Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to hold back the enemy's offensive."
Ukraine's General Staff of the Armed Forces reported on Friday that troops had repelled 13 attacks in the Kharkiv region around the towns of Sinkivka, Petropavlivka and Berestov.
While the northern Kharkiv region has been a battleground in the war between Russia and Ukraine, most of the fighting has flared across the eastern and southeastern frontline in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhizhia and Kherson provinces.
Russia is putting intense pressure on Ukrainian forces across the frontline, making critical advances in the Donetsk region after a monthslong delay of new U.S. military aid to Kyiv.
Russian military blogger Rybar reported on Telegram that Russia began "massive attacks on planned targets" with artillery and mortar fire before troops advanced. But the blogger stressed it was premature to discuss significant progress or the capture of any towns as forces push toward Vovchansk.
George Barros, the Russia team and geospatial intelligence team lead at the Institute for the Study of War, said on X that Moscow's attack may be a reconnaissance in force — a large maneuver meant to gain information about an enemy's positions — or a "badly conducted combined arms attacks."
Either way, the attack will put more strain on Ukraine on another front, as troops are already defending against Russian assaults across the eastern and southeastern battle lines.
Michael Kofman, a senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the "War on the Rocks" podcast earlier this week that if Russian forces can move closer to Kharkiv city, they could force a partial evacuation and create a "major problem."
"While I don't think Russia has the forces to take Kharkiv," he said, "they may conduct an incursion to create the so-called buffer space that would effectively hold Kharkiv at risk and ... it would be something Ukrainian forces have to deal with all the way up in the northeast that would then create a lot of challenges for them in sustaining the rest of the line."
Date: | |
Tag: | Russia |
Filter
-
Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv accuses Russia of targeting civilians in Kharkiv region
Ukrainian prosecutors investigating possible war crimes in Kharkiv and Vovchansk as Zelenskiy says his troops are fighting back: What we know on day 816. Ukraine says Russian shelling targeted civilians in two cities in the north-eastern region of ...The Guardian - World - Ukraine -
Ukraine war briefing: Russia’s Kharkiv offensive may only be the ‘first wave’, Zelenskiy warns
Ukrainian president admits his army lacks enough troops and has only 25% of the air defences it needs as Russia advances in the north-east. What we know on day 815. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has warned that Russia’s offensive in ...The Guardian - World - Ukraine -
Russian strikes on Ukraine's Kharkiv region kill at least 11
Yahoo News - World - Ukraine -
Chris Riddell on Russia’s advance on Kharkiv – cartoon
It may be wounded but, with China’s backing, the bear is feeling bullish. • You can order your own copy of this cartoon Continue reading...The Guardian - World - Russia -
Gazans Flee Jabaliya as Israel’s Military Launches New Offensive
At least 64,000 people were displaced from Jabaliya and a neighboring town in the past week, according to the main U.N. agency aiding Palestinians.The New York Times - World - Israel -
At least 11 killed as Russia presses forward with its offensive in northeastern Ukraine
Yahoo News - World - Ukraine -
How Russia has advanced in Kharkiv despite warnings attack was coming
Shortage of munitions, fighters and air defences leaves Ukraine unprepared to repel attack. Russia’s attack across the border north and north-west of Kharkiv was telegraphed by Moscow, predicted by western intelligence and anticipated by Ukraine. ...The Guardian - World - Russia -
Zelensky Visits Embattled Kharkiv as Russia Presses Broad Assaults
Ukraine said it was slowing Russia’s push near Kharkiv, where the president met with top commanders, but still faced pitched battles in that area and farther south.The New York Times - World - Ukraine -
Russia has advanced 10km towards Kharkiv, says Ukraine
Kyiv claims its forces have ‘stabilised’ Kremlin assault as it launches a massive drone counterstrikeFinancial Times - Business - Ukraine -
Ukraine war briefing: Russian forces launch deadly attack on Kharkiv lakeside resort
Six people killed and dozens wounded after two waves of strikes on resort on edge of city, with more attacks in wider region killing five. What we know on day 817. See all our Ukraine war coverageRussia struck a lakeside resort on the edge of ...The Guardian - World - Ukraine
More from The Hill
-
This is the 'most religious' state, according to new study
The Beehive State has the largest share of religious adherents out of every other state in the nation, according to new research from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah.The Hill - Politics -
George Conway hits Trump for 'amazing lie' about courthouse security
Conservative attorney George Conway said Monday that former President Trump’s description of the security outside the Manhattan courthouse is an “amazing lie.” In remarks to reporters on Monday, Trump compared the scene outside the courthouse — ...The Hill - Politics - Donald Trump -
The Supreme Court has emboldened the CFPB, threatening American consumers
The CFPB demands rigorous scrutiny by unconflicted watchdogs to restore sanity to our digital and economic landscapes. Only then can we ensure that our digital domains remain vibrant and accessible from the heavy hand of misguided governance.The Hill - Politics -
$395 pineapple being sold at Southern California produce store
A single fruit is being sold at a Southern California retailer that costs more than the average of $297.72 per week that households typically spend on food in the Golden State.The Hill - Politics - California -
Biden slams ICC prosecutor's 'outrageous' request for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders
President Biden on Monday ripped the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor for seeking arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "The ICC prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants against ...The Hill - Politics - Joe Biden