Ukrainian and Russian media report Ukrainian defence breaches in Vovchansk, Kharkiv region, with Russian troops advancing deep into the city.
Media reports on the ongoing fighting in the Ukrainian city of Vovchansk. Russian assault units are breaking through the defence of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) in the area of high-rise buildings. According to various estimates, the advance of Russian troops in the area of Vovchansk covers about 450 kilometres.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops launched a counter-attack in the Lyptsi area. However, the soldiers had to return to their original positions, according to Ukrainian media. Due to continuous hostilities and heavy losses, Ukraine is forced to deploy reserve units into the battle. Kyiv reportedly planned to engage those troops in a potential counter-offensive.
Russian aviation targets Ukrainian positions with Unified Planning and Correction Module (UMPK) aerial bombs. Supported from the air, Russian assault groups continue their ground offensive.
The troops also deployed a new Heavy Flamethrower System TOS-2 Tosochka. Earlier, Russian media reported that it was actively used by the Sever (North) group of troops.
Furthermore, Russian media show footage of a Lancet drone strike on a Ukrainian Osa-AKM anti-aircraft missile system in the Kharkiv region.
Russian troops also captured Berestove village, according to the defence ministry. However, the AFU General Staff has not yet confirmed the information.
Earlier, the General Staff reported that the AFU would reduce its personnel by 60 per cent. Spokesman Yevhen Ostryansky stated that some military personnel would be sent to combat units. According to him, the military leadership will disband a number of military structures, establish new ones, as well as optimise the existing units.
Permission to strike Russian territory
Amid the advance of Russian troops in Kharkiv Region, US President Joe Biden authorised Ukraine to launch strikes with US weapons against targets on Russian territory. However, the Ukrainian armed forces should attack only near Kharkiv, according to Politico, The York Times, The Washington Post and The Financial Times.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who recently visited Ukraine, was the main advocate of lifting the restrictions. At that time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Kyiv’s inability to launch US missiles and use other weapons to strike military facilities in Russia a “huge advantage” for Moscow.
Russian authorities have sharply criticised allowing Ukraine to hit targets inside Russia.
Meanwhile, Sweden became the third country in the past few days to pledge more than $1bn (£785m) in additional military aid to Ukraine as Zelensky wrapped up a three-day tour across Europe.
On May 27, Zelensky arrived on a working visit to Spain, where he signed a bilateral security co-operation agreement with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. On May 28, Zelensky and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo signed a bilateral agreement on co-operation in the field of security and long-term support, the press service of the Ukrainian president’s office reported.
Ukraine has already signed security agreements with 12 countries. They include more than 23bn dollars in military and financial support.
