Moscow reports conquests
Ukrainian military chief sees difficult situation in Kharkiv
May 12, 2024, 1:51 p.m
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The situation is difficult – the Ukrainian military chief has to admit that. Syrskyj complains about “bitter defensive fighting” in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine is bringing thousands of people to safety. Russia, on the other hand, reports the capture of additional villages.
Russian troops are advancing in Kharkiv and have taken control of several Ukrainian villages over the weekend, according to the Defense Ministry in Moscow. Ukrainian military chief Olexandr Syrskyj spoke of a difficult situation in the region in northeastern Ukraine. But his country’s troops would do everything in their power to hold the position.
According to Syrsky, there are fierce battles. “Units of the defense forces are engaged in bitter defensive battles,” the military chief wrote on Telegram. “The Russian invaders’ attempts to break through our defenses have been stopped.” He added: “The situation is difficult, but the Ukrainian armed forces are doing everything to hold the defensive lines and positions and inflict damage on the enemy.”
According to the governor, more than 4,000 people were brought to safety from areas near the border. “A total of 4,073 people were evacuated,” regional governor Oleh Synegubow said in the online networks. He also stated that a 63-year-old was killed in artillery fire in the village of Hlyboke and a 38-year-old was injured in Vovchansk.
Russia: Four more villages captured
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that four more Ukrainian villages had been captured. Hatyshche, Krasne, Morokhovets and Oliyinykove are now under Russian control. Russia had already announced the capture of five villages on Saturday. Ukraine, on the other hand, had declared that the attacks were being repelled and that they were fighting for control of the towns.
Russian troops launched a new offensive in the Kharkiv region on Friday. Although they moved into the region shortly after the start of their invasion in February 2022, they were later pushed back by Ukrainian troops.
New front looms
With the start of the Russian offensive in Kharkiv a few days ago, there is a threat of the opening of a new front in northeastern Ukraine. The city of the same name, Kharkiv, is the second largest city in the country after Kiev and is around 400 kilometers as the crow flies from the capital.
Ukraine is currently on the defensive against Russia – also because military aid from the USA took months to arrive. While Ukrainian soldiers lack ammunition, the Russian military has a significant advantage in terms of troop numbers and ammunition. The government in Kiev has said that several months of delays by the US Congress in passing a comprehensive aid package have damaged the battlefield. Now it hopes that significant amounts of the newly approved aid will arrive quickly to support the defense effort.