The Armed Forces of Ukraine named the three main goals of the Russian Federation in the Kharkiv direction

The Armed Forces of Ukraine named the three main goals of the Russian Federation in the Kharkiv direction

Fighting in the Kharkiv region continues, the operational situation is complex and constantly changing. The Ukrainian command reports that it is able to hold the line of defence and that it has suffered significant losses in the ranks of the Russian army. A report from the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces indicates the main areas of fighting along the lines of Pylyna - Lukianske, Pylyna - Hlyboke, Pylyna - Oliynykove, and Murom - Buhruvatka.

Fighting for Vovchansk continues, the enemy has sent up to five battalions to the city, but in one day lost more than 100 occupants. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine recognises the tactical success of the Russian army, but announces that it is planning measures to destroy the enemy that has intervened in the defence of the Armed Forces.

Russian troops are advancing in the following areas:

• Strilecha - Hlyboke,
• Oliynykove - Hlyboke,
• Oliynykove - Lukyantsi,
• Murom (Belgorod region of the Russian Federation) - Staritsa,
• Pletenivka - Tykhy.

According to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia is trying to stretch Ukrainian forces along the front line during the fighting in Kharkiv region, which is why it attacked Kharkiv region. The Pokrovske direction remains the most difficult: 30 clashes took place there on 12 May.

Russian troops are trying to encircle Vovchansk and are also advancing towards the village of Liptsy north of Kharkiv with three motorised infantry battalions. Additionally, reserves of the 11th and newly formed 44th army corps are being brought to the area of Zhuravlivka, Ustinka and Vergilivka villages in Belgorod region, according to analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The capture of Lyptsi will allow the Russians to bring artillery to regularly shell Kharkiv, a metropolis with a population of over a million people. A situation is being created that was similar to the one in 2022, when the enemy stormed the northern border and occupied settlements on the outskirts of Kharkiv, ISW believes.