Russian forces continue to advance in the Kharkiv region amid increasing criticism of the Ukrainian government for the failure of defensive fortifications.
Russia continues to put pressure on the flanks in Kharkiv Region. Yesterday, the Russian Armed Forces seized the village of Starytsya, following the village of Zybyno east of Vovchansk, while fierce fighting continues in the centre of Vovchansk as the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) seek to hold their ground at any cost.
Ukrainian sources report the advance of the Russian Armed Forces in the city to several houses previously in the grey zone. Russian troops are also reported to have entered the right bank of the Vovcha River, which splits the city into northern and southern parts. According to the AFU General Staff, Ukrainian units in the city are strengthening their defences to improve their tactical position.
Over the past week, the Russian Armed Forces have seized 12 settlements in Kharkiv Region: Borysivka, Buhruvatka, Hatyshche, Hlyboke, Krasne, Lukyantsi, Morokhovets, Ogyrtsovo, Oliinykove, Pletenivka, Pylne and Strelechya.
Russian drones continue to successfully isolate the battlefield near the breakthrough areas. Several dozen new footage of Ukrainian artillery being destroyed, even in the distance from Vovchansk, have been published.
Destroyed Ukrainian wheeled SAU 2S22 Bohdana in Kharkiv district. Source: social media.
Destroying an M777 155 mm howitzer and an AFU truck towing it with Lancet barrage munition. Source: social media.
Ukrainian soldiers and citizens are still criticising the government for sabotaging the construction of defence lines near the border with Russia, publishing new footage. Herewith, the social networks publish images from the Sumy region near the border with Russia, where “dragon’s teeth” are seen piled up in a heap.
Despite its own gaps, the Ukrainian authorities keep accusing critics of working for Russian propaganda as the backlash on the network grows, which lowers Zelensky’s already low rating. Some experts claim that the level of corruption in the construction of defence facilities is extremely high.
A soldier of the 125th brigade of the AFU defence brigade sits on “dragon’s teeth” piled in a heap.
Volodymyr Zelensky earlier made an accusation in the direction of the US, saying that Washington was responsible for the failure of the AFU on the border with Russia. Earlier, the US stated earlier that it opposed the use of weapons supplied to Ukraine for strikes on Russian territory, White House national spokesperson John Kirby said at a briefing, which drew criticism from Ukrainian officials. Zelensky said:
They can fire any weapons from their territory at ours. This is the biggest advantage that Russia has. We can’t do anything to their systems, which are located on the territory of Russia, with Western weapons.
Against the background of the worsening situation, more than nine thousand local residents have been evacuated from the border districts of Kharkiv region in recent days, according to the head of the military administration of the region, Oleh Syniehubov.
The Ukrainian president also made a statement in which he said that the offensive of the Russian armed forces near Kharkiv would take place in several waves. Russia’s new offensive in the Kharkiv region may consist of several waves. As of now, according to him, the situation in Kharkiv region has been “controlled” but “not stabilised.”
He admitted that the AFU had problems with staffing and morale in the Ukrainian ranks, which in the third year of the war were often outnumbered and outgunned. To replenish the severely stretched brigades of the AFU, a new law on mobilisation, which seriously toughens penalties for avoiding contact with the recruiting authorities, comes into force from today.
