Russia continues its assault on Vovchansk and reinforces the positions, while Ukraine pulls up reserves, with Zelensky arriving in Kharkiv.
Russian troops seized a hospital in the centre of Vovchansk, Ukrainian media reported. The publication published a video showing Russians storming the hospital building.
Russian invasion forces have seized a hospital southwest of the centre of Vovchansk amid conflicting reports on whether or not their advance in the city has been halted by Ukrainian defenders.
Russians reportedly continue to consolidate on previously taken borders, while Ukraine pulls up reserves. The Russian Armed Forces recorded a video at a sign at the entrance to Vovchansk, where they ironically called on the AFU (Armed Forces of Ukraine) fighters to surrender.
On the video, a Russian soldier calls on:
“It’s already Vovchansk [seized]. AFU fighter, there is no need to run – you will die exhausted. Surrender as a prisoner. Victory will be ours.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Telegram channels complain about poor fortifications and publish new photos. Low-quality and unprepared defence lines were spotted near Lyptsi, Kharkiv region, 10 km from the border with Russia.
This was most likely presented to the leadership as a ‘success’, while other positions have only a name, because they have not even started to arrange.
Such a negligent attitude “played a cruel joke” near the town of Ocheretyne, Donetsk region, where Ukrainian troops miraculously escaped without losses, Deep State added.
Russian troops were advancing in Kharkiv region to undermine the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ reserves and weaken the southern front, the former commander of the 7th Armoured Brigade of the French Armed Forces, Nicolas Richoux, stated.
He told the LCI TV channel that it was not about breaking through, but about an onslaught. The successful advance of the Russian army was due to Kyiv’s poor preparation, Richoux noted.
Today, On May 16, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Kharkiv to receive a report from the AFU commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. He also heard a briefing from the commanders of the Operative-strategic grouping of troops Khortytsia and Kharkiv on the situation on the ground, tasks, and needs of brigades and units in the areas of Vovchansk and Lyptsi.
