the Russians are trying to regain ground near Kharkiv – Libération

Russian troops attacked the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine on Friday, an incursion accompanied by massive bombing of border towns. It could be a diversion or a reconnaissance operation before an offensive on the country’s second city.

Again. A year and a half after being expelled from the north of Kharkiv, which it had occupied during the first six months of the war, the Russian army tried on Friday to regain a foothold in the border area. At dawn, around 5 a.m., after a night of strikes, Russian infiltration groups attacked border posts and attempted to break through the Ukrainian defense line, supported by artillery and bombs. guided gliders, mainly directed towards the small town of Vovchansk, located 50 kilometers northeast of Kharkiv and 5 kilometers from the border. The Ministry of Defense in Kyiv confirmed a few hours later a “breakthrough attempt” and ongoing battles.

Throughout the morning, Russian forces opened a new front on a narrow strip of territory. At 9:45 a.m., the Russians attacked the village of Bouhaivka. At 10 a.m., Vovchansk was seriously bombarded. At 12:50 p.m., a strike killed a 55-year-old civilian in the village of Cherkaski Tyshky. At midday, Vovchansk was once again under fire, while the Kyiv authorities announced the sending of reinforcement troops in order to thwart the enemy advance and the evacuation of civilians. In the afternoon, Oleh Syniehoubov, the governor of Kharkiv, declared that the situation was