While Russian troops seized another vehicle amid the ongoing Kharkiv offensive, Ukrainian forces deployed weapons from World War II, Ukrainian media reported (updated May 27, 2024 1:39 p.m.).
Local media report that Russian troops are advancing towards Kharkiv. The Sever (North) group of troops continues its offensive on Vovchansk and Lyptsi, having destroyed several defensive positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
At the same time, Russian media published a footage of a strike by the Russian Unified Planning and Correction Module (UMPK) aerial bombs. The guided bombs targeted a landing strip in northern Kharkiv region where Ukrainian infantry were sheltering. Earlier, Ukrainian media highlighted the terrific damage from Russian combat aviation using multiple UMPKs amid the ongoing Russian offensive.
Ukrainian soldiers reportedly attempted a counterattack, but the move resulted in heavy losses and a subsequent retreat to their original positions. After repelling the counterattack, Russian troops advanced in the Lyptsi area towards Pivnichne, according to Ukrainian media.
Continuing the offensive near Vovchansk, Russian forces seized the Canadian Roshel Senator MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle, which was at the disposal of the AFU. It might also be taken to the rear for further transport and study, just like the previously seized vehicles.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops brought out the 85 mm divisional gun D-44, a Soviet weapon dating back to World War II.
According to Ukrainian media, a Ukrainian Volunteer Army unit called Blind Fury allegedly used the weapon on May 16 near Vovchansk.
The use of outdated equipment may indicate the veracity of reports circulating among the Ukrainian media about the Ukrainian army’s ongoing “shell hunger” and shortage of personnel against the backdrop of Russia’s abrupt offensive.
Shell hunger
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Sunday, May 26, that Russia was preparing another group of troops for an offensive near the Ukrainian border, 90 km north-west of Kharkiv. Earlier, the AFU General Staff had to mobilise reserves from other combat areas to deter the Russian offensive in Kharkiv region.
Moreover, Senior Lt. Yuriy Fedorenko, the 33-year-old leader of what an internal report declared the Ukrainian Army’s best-performing drone unit, stated that the situation on the front line remained difficult, according to The New York Times.
Without us, the Russians would be in Kyiv region by now. We have an absolutely absurd situation.
Fedorenko described where Russian guided bomb units (GBUs) destroyed three Ukrainian defence lines. He expressed concern that Russian forces would probably be able to seize Chasiv Yar within a few weeks.
They were going step by step, taking one position after the other. Where our lines were very strongly fortified, the Russians were using guided aviation bombs, just leveling these positions to the ground. This is how they approached close to Chasiv Yar. This happened after our shortage of ammunition and our artillery had nothing to fire with.
The leader of the drone unit noted that it would be possible to hold the city only after US aid arrived. Earlier, the Sky News reported that Russia was producing artillery shells “around three times faster than Ukraine’s Western allies and for about a quarter of the cost.”
