Ukraine disputes Russia's capture of five border villages in Kharkiv
Ukrainian authorities challenge Russia's Ministry of Defense claim of capturing five villages in Kharkiv Region on the Ukraine border, insisting that the conflict is ongoing.
Russia's military has announced that they have taken control of five villages in the Kharkiv region along the border with Ukraine as part of a new offensive. However, Ukrainian authorities have stated that they are pushing back against the attacks and that the fighting is ongoing.
The attack by Russia started on Friday with two assaults in northern Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky referred to it as a "new wave of counteroffensive actions" by Russia.
Moscow's exact intention is uncertain, but it seems they are attempting to establish a buffer zone to prevent Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil. Another possibility is that they are aiming to exhaust and distract Kyiv's already stretched forces.
Russia's Ministry of Defense announced the formation of a new military unit named Sever (North), which they stated had "liberated" multiple villages. This choice of words indicates Russia's refusal to acknowledge Ukrainian statehood.
The Sever Group of Forces' units have successfully liberated Borisovka, Ogurtsovo, Pletenevka, Pylnaya, and Strelechya through offensive operations. Additionally, Russian troops have taken control of the village of Keramik in the Donetsk region, located further south.
Residents from Vovchansk and nearby villages wait for buses amid an evacuation to Kharkiv on Friday.
Residents from Vovchansk and nearby villages wait for buses amid an evacuation to Kharkiv on Friday.
Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy/Reuters
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Ukrainian forces are still working hard to defend against increased Russian attacks, while many Ukrainian civilians have been safely evacuated from the northern Kharkiv region.
Oleh Syniehubov, the Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration in Ukraine, stated on Saturday that the reports of five villages in the Kharkiv Region being captured are not true.
Heavy fighting is ongoing in Strilecha, Pylyna, Borysivka, Oliynykove, and Ohirtseve. These areas were previously part of the 'grey zone,' where the territory is being contested by both sides. However, there is currently no immediate threat of a ground operation in Kharkiv. The Defense Forces are working hard to maintain their positions, with full support from all government agencies on the ground.
According to the head of the military administration in Kharkiv region, at least three people lost their lives due to Russian strikes overnight.
In recent times, Russia has mainly concentrated its actions in the eastern areas, capitalizing on Ukraine's lack of manpower and weapons to gain some ground. Following the full-scale invasion in 2022, Russian forces targeted Kharkiv region but were pushed back by a Ukrainian counterattack later that same year.
A fire occurred at the Volgograd oil refinery, the largest in southern Russia, following a Ukrainian drone attack overnight into Sunday, as reported by the region's governor, Andrey Bocharov.
Bocharov stated on Telegram that on the night of May 12, air defense and electronic warfare forces successfully defended the Volgograd region from a UAV attack.
He mentioned that a fire broke out at the Volgograd Refinery site as a result of a UAV crash and subsequent detonation. The fire has been put out and fortunately, there were no casualties.
Editor's P/S:
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, with Russia's recent offensive in the Kharkiv region raising concerns about a potential escalation of the war. While Russia claims to have captured several villages, Ukrainian authorities insist they are holding their ground, indicating a fierce battle for control of the region.
The Kremlin's intentions remain unclear, but it appears that they may be seeking to establish a buffer zone to prevent Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory, or to divert attention from their losses in the east. The formation of a new military unit, Sever, and the use of the term "liberated" suggests that Russia is determined to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are valiantly defending their territory, with the support of international aid and weapons. The civilian population continues to bear the brunt of the conflict, with reports of casualties and evacuations from the affected areas.
