Hundreds of people were evacuated from areas near the Russian border in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region as Russian forces launched a surprise ground offensive, making small advances in the area. The regional governor reported that a total of 1,775 people had been evacuated due to Russian artillery and mortar attacks on 30 settlements over the past 24 hours. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described a “fierce battle” underway in Kharkiv, emphasizing the need to disrupt Russian offensive operations and return the initiative to Ukraine.
The Kharkiv region, mostly under Ukrainian control since September 2022, has seen Russian forces advance one kilometer into Ukraine to create a buffer zone in Kharkiv and neighboring Sumy regions. Ukrainian forces have retaliated by launching attacks on Russian-held areas, particularly on energy infrastructure. In response to a Ukrainian strike on an oil depot in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, Moscow-installed authorities reported three deaths and multiple injuries. The operation aims to draw Ukrainian resources away from critical sectors in eastern Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
Kyiv had anticipated a potential attack on its northeastern border regions by Moscow, leveraging delays in Western aid and manpower shortages in Ukraine. The Ukrainian military has deployed additional troops to counter Russian advances, using artillery and drones to defend against the offensive. While Russia has made tactically significant gains in the region, the overall operation appears focused on diverting Ukrainian resources away from key sectors of eastern Ukraine. Despite the Russian offensive, Washington announced a new $400 million military aid package for Kyiv and expressed confidence in Ukraine’s ability to repel any further attacks.
The situation in Kharkiv remains tense as Ukrainian forces work to disrupt Russian offensive operations and reclaim the initiative in the region. The ongoing conflict has resulted in casualties and forced evacuations, with Russian forces attempting to establish a buffer zone in northeastern Ukraine. Despite their tactical gains, the true objective of the offensive seems to be drawing Ukrainian resources away from critical sectors in eastern Ukraine. With international support and a commitment to defending their territory, Ukraine remains determined to resist Russian aggression and maintain control over its sovereignty.
