Russian troops engaged in street battles for Vovchansk, suffer heavy losses - Ukraine's army chief
Russian troops in Vovchansk are bogged down in street battles after minor successes in the offensive in the north of Kharkiv region. The Russian occupiers suffered heavy losses, according to Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
The Commander-in-Chief notes that he continues to work in military units on the eastern front.
"After the first minor successes during offensive battles in the Kharkiv region, the enemy completely got bogged down in street battles for Vovchansk and suffered very high losses in the personnel of assault units. The enemy is currently moving reserves from different directions in an attempt to support active assault operations, but to no avail," says Syrskyi.
In the area of Lyptsi (west of Vovchansk), Russia also suffered losses and switched to active defense, conducting mining and fire attacks on Ukrainian positions.
In the Kupiansk direction, fighting continues in the forest north of the city. According to the Commander-in-Chief, the situation is difficult in the area of Kyslivka, where Russia is trying to break through the defense and reach the Oskil River.
Intense fighting continues in the area of Ivanivske and on the outskirts of Chasiv Yar. Syrskyi emphasizes that the Russians are trying to hold on to the town at any cost, using the latest T-90M, BMP-3, and BMD-4 in this area, which are usually destroyed by anti-tank weapons and FPV drones while still being advanced.
The most intense and fierce fighting is taking place in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions. Russia is sending its best-trained units there. Infantry, armored vehicles, and often motorcycles and buggies are used by the Russian invaders.
Other areas are also restless, but the number and intensity of hostilities is much lower. Syrskyi adds that the main purpose of the work in the units is to study the situation on the ground, resolve problematic issues, provide additional ammunition, drones, electronic warfare, reinforce reserves, etc.
Russian offensive
On May 10, 2024, the Russian army launched a second offensive in the north of the Kharkiv region. The Russians reached the city of Vovchansk near the border with Russia.
Earlier, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Syrskyi noted that Russia had expanded the front by 70 kilometers. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Russian occupiers in the Kharkiv region have reached only the first line of defense.
In addition, the Russian invaders are trying to break through the defense of Ukrainian forces near Avdiivka, as well as capture the town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region.