Despite this advance, the victory has come at a high cost, with Russian forces suffering heavy losses, media reported.
According to a recent communiqué from the Ukrainian military, Russian troops, undeterred by their casualties, mobilized substantial forces to attack Vovchansk, located approximately 45 kilometers from Kharkiv. The assault resulted in the loss of over a hundred Russian soldiers.
The situation in Vovchansk has been exacerbated by intense shelling and the presence of Russian drones, which have significantly disrupted evacuation efforts by local services, as reported by Kharkiv Region Governor Oleh Siniegubov on social media.
Further compounding the situation, Russian forces claim to have seized control of nine villages within the Kharkiv region, intensifying the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces. The Ukrainian military describes the current conditions as "very difficult."
General Syrsky of the Ukrainian military provided additional insights into the ongoing conflict, noting that the fighting has escalated notably this week.
Combat is concentrated along several kilometers of the border with Russia, roughly 20 kilometers from the northern outskirts of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.
More than 4,000 civilians have been evacuated from the region in the past two days.
(jh)
Source: IAR, PAP