Russian troops reportedly enter border town near Kharkiv

• Russia claims to have entered Vovchansk, near Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, causing heavy fighting.
• Russia has suffered more than 100 troop casualties in a single day and is directing glide bombs towards settlements.
• Vovchansk, situated 74km from Kharkiv, has endured heavy bombing in recent days.

Russia claims that its forces have entered the north-eastern border town of Vovchansk, near Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv. Ukraine reports ongoing heavy fighting in the area. Following Friday’s surprise incursions across the border, Russia has escalated its attacks on the region, seizing at least nine villages and settlements in one of the most significant ground assaults since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Thousands of civilians have fled towards Kharkiv, and Ukrainian commanders express concerns about the potential consequences if Russian forces reach the artillery range of the city.

Ukraine’s army has reported that Russia has deployed “significant forces” – up to five battalions – in its latest offensive, admitting that it has achieved “tactical success”.

In a statement, the army asserted that Russia had suffered more than 100 troop casualties in a single day and declared that measures were being implemented to fend off advancing forces.

Vovchansk, situated 74km (45 miles) from Kharkiv, has endured heavy bombing in recent days, and officials in the surrounding region indicate that Moscow is now directing glide bombs towards settlements.

Although Vovchansk holds significance in the region, it lacks specific military importance. However, its capture would deal a blow to Ukrainian morale.

Kharkiv regional head Oleh Syniehubov stated that Russia was intentionally attempting to expand the front line by launching attacks in small groups in new directions.

He informed local television that Ukrainian forces were containing Russian troops but cautioned that fighting could potentially extend to new settlements, as reported by Reuters.

He mentioned that nearly 6,000 people had been evacuated from the region and noted that mortar or artillery shelling had targeted 30 settlements.

While it is believed that this Russian cross-border incursion still holds a low likelihood of capturing Kharkiv, their gradual advancement on this new, northeastern front line heightens anxiety for residents.

Frustrated Ukrainian troops informed the BBC that initially, Russian soldiers could simply “walk in” to the region due to the absence of defenses.

Kostyantyn Tymchenko, residing in Vovchansk, is one of those departing the town for the comparative safety of Kharkiv and expressed shock at the proximity of the fighting.

“Half a kilometer away, there is already fighting, automatic weapons,” he said.

“On the one side [of the Vovcha River] are [Russians], on the other – ours.

“Tanks are constantly approaching, shooting back and then leaving. I thought it would be okay. I was shocked. I wish I had known in advance.”

In the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, the Russian-installed mayor has alleged that shelling resulted in the deaths of two people.

Additionally, in Krasnodon, known as Sorokyne in Ukrainian, a Russian-held part of eastern Ukraine, at least three people were reported killed by a strike on an industrial zone, as stated by the Moscow-installed local governor.

Ukraine has not issued any statements regarding these incidents. Russia has announced that it shot down 31 Ukrainian drones across several regions in annexed Crimea.

This announcement follows Russian officials’ report of at least 15 casualties resulting from a section of an apartment block collapsing in the Russian border city of Belgorod. The collapse occurred when fragments of a Ukrainian missile, which had been intercepted, struck the building.

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