The embattled town of Vovchansk in northeast Ukraine is facing intense battles between Kyiv’s troops and the Russian army, with only a few hundred residents remaining. The town’s population had already dwindled to 2,500 before Russia renewed its ground assault last week. Concerns are growing that Vovchansk’s fate may mirror that of other Ukrainian cities like Bakhmut and Avdiivka, where fierce fighting led to Ukrainian withdrawals. Russian troops are advancing on Vovchansk from three directions, taking advantage of poorly built fortifications and ammunition shortages.
In just two days, Moscow has captured 106 square kilometers of territory in northeast Ukraine, including seven villages, most of which were already depopulated. This significant advance could put Ukrainian forces in the northeast at risk while heavy fighting continues in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian troops are still engaged in pitched battles in both regions, with President Zelenskyy acknowledging the ongoing defensive struggles near the border in eastern and northeastern Ukraine. The Kremlin’s forces are looking to exploit Ukrainian weaknesses before new military aid from the US and European partners arrives on the battlefield.
The recent Russian push in the Kharkiv region, along with ongoing advancements in Donetsk, follows months of stagnant front lines totaling over 1,000 kilometers. Both sides have relied on long-range strikes in what has become a war of attrition. The Kharkiv incursion serves several purposes for Russia, including potentially drawing Ukrainian forces away from key battles in Donetsk. President Zelenskyy described the fighting in Donetsk as intense, with the aim of spreading Ukrainian forces thin by opening a second active front in Kharkiv. The capture of Avdiivka earlier this year allowed Russian troops to push deeper into Donetsk, a region illegally annexed in 2022.
The situation in Donetsk poses challenges for Ukraine, as the capture of key areas could set the stage for a potential attack on Kharkiv City, Ukraine’s second-largest city. Additionally, Russia’s goal of controlling all of Donetsk could be advanced through continued military operations. The recent evacuation of children from the Belgorod region in Russia due to Ukrainian shelling highlights the sensitive nature of the conflict. The clearing of rubble in Belgorod’s capital city, where a residential building collapsed following Ukrainian shelling, resulted in casualties. Russian military correspondent Yevgeny Poddubny described the recent Kharkiv assault as the beginning of a new phase aimed at pushing the enemy back from the border and protecting nearby areas.
