Russian forces have launched a ground offensive in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, attempting to breach Ukrainian defenses near the town of Vovchansk with armored vehicles and artillery support. The assault, which began at 5am (02:00 GMT) on Friday, was initially repelled by Ukrainian troops, but battles of varying intensity continue along the border, according to Ukrainian officials.
Ukraine's Ministry of Defence reported that Russian forces had pushed one kilometer (0.6 miles) into the region, with the aim of establishing a buffer zone up to 10km (six miles) deep. This move aligns with Russian President Vladimir Putin's earlier promise to create a demilitarized area inside Ukrainian territory to halt attacks on Russian border regions.
"Ukraine met them there with troops: brigades and artillery," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a news conference, confirming that his forces were prepared for the ground assault. Ukraine has sent additional reinforcements to the area to bolster its defenses.
The Kharkiv region, which borders Russia's Belgorod province, has been a target of regular attacks from Ukraine since Ukrainian forces chased Russian troops out of most of the area in 2022. In recent months, fears have grown over the Kremlin's intentions in the region, particularly after Putin called for the creation of a buffer zone in March.
Oleh Syniehubov, the governor of Kharkiv, announced the evacuation of approximately 3,000 civilians from Vovchansk, a town less than five kilometers (three miles) from the border that has been subjected to heavy shelling. Russian-installed official Vitaliy Ganchev confirmed the fighting on Telegram, urging residents to exercise caution and remain in shelters.
The assault on Kharkiv opens a new front in the ongoing war, with Russia seemingly intent on exploiting a window of opportunity to make small, tactical gains while Ukraine remains outgunned and outmanned. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly stressed the need for more Western-supplied weapons to hold out and ultimately push back Russian troops.
The ground offensive in Kharkiv coincides with Ukraine's receipt of long-delayed US military aid parcels, marking the first such deliveries in weeks. A high-ranking Ukrainian military source told Reuters that Ukraine expects to receive US-made F-16 fighter jets in June-July, which could potentially turn the tide of the conflict.
As Ukraine grapples with a serious shortage of soldiers available to fight the war, the country's parliament has taken steps to crack down on draft dodgers. A recently passed bill, which awaits President Zelenskyy's signature, includes provisions for raising fines for those caught avoiding the call-up and allowing authorities to detain draft dodgers for up to three days. Additionally, Parliament has passed a bill allowing some convicts to enlist in the army, and a new mobilization law lowering the minimum age for new recruits is set to come into force in the coming days.
