Russian troops detained in the Kharkov sector, Ukraine conducts counterattacks

Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight.

Become a member Support us at least once

Ukrainian forces have stopped Russian troops in the Kharkov sector and are conducting counterattacks, Ihor Prokhorenko, a representative of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of Ukraine, said at a briefing in Kiev on May 24.

“Right now (Russian forces) have been stopped, the situation is under control, we are carrying out counterattacks,” Prokhorenko said.

On May 10, Russia launched a new offensive in the northern Kharkiv Oblast. Moscow’s forces managed to penetrate 10 kilometers (6 miles) into the region but were stopped by the first line of defense, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on May 16.

Prokhorenko described the situation on the battlefield as “difficult”, saying Ukrainian soldiers still held the front line in the east and south of the country. He added that the Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts are the areas of the most intense fighting.

“As for the Kharkiv sector, the enemy is conducting offensive operations aimed at creating a buffer zone,” the colonel said, adding that “the situation is under control.”

Russian troops are advancing east of the Kharkiv region, planning to bypass the city of Kupyansk, but have not yet succeeded, Prokhorenko said.

“Fierce fighting is taking place almost on the entire front line. The defense forces are inflicting heavy losses on the invader, our artillery, unmanned systems and aviation are actively operating,” he added.

Russian troops are “completely bogged down” in street fighting for the city of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv Oblast and are deploying their reserves from various sectors, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrski said on May 23.

Russia’s offensive in the Kharkiv region in mid-May could be the first of several waves, and Russian forces could target the regional capital, Kharkiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.