Number One Task: Halting Russian Forces Near Kharkiv
Damion Davis
BIG UPDATE — Kharkiv Region
Right now Ukraine forces are doing their best to halt the Russian advance into Kharkiv region, “it’s the number one task” at the moment said President Zelensky.
"The accomplishment of this task depends on every soldier, every sergeant, every officer,” said in the Presidents daily video address that was published on Saturday evening.
Russian troops occupy 5 Kharkiv northern village's, said by Defence Ministry in Moscow. — These reports are unofficial Ukrainian reports.
The villages named were Strilecha, Krasne, Pylne and Borisivka, located around 30 kilometers north of Kharkiv near the town of Lyptsi, as well as Ohirtseve near the city of Vovchansk.
Russian troops claim they have killed a large number of Ukrainian soldiers, also destroying the equipment. — But this has not been fully confirmed yet.
In the address from President Zelensky, he mentioned that defensive operations near the villages of Strilecha, Krasne, Morokhovets, Oliinykove, Lukyantsi, Hatyshche and Pletenivka. “For two days now, our troops have been conducting counter-attack actions there, defending Ukrainian territory,” the Ukrainian president said.
Russian Troops are saying they have taken over area's and have taken out many Ukrainian troops but president Zelensky knows his troops are still there halting the Russians.
There was a report of 34 Ukrainian soldiers being capture by Moscow. (This number could not be verified)
Some pictures have appeared in Russian telegram channels of alleged soldiers, this action is prohibited under international humanitarian law.
Ukrainian Forces have been able to bring resident's living along the border to safety, as there is a expected attack near the north-eastern city of Kharkiv that may come soon. According to official information the lines of defense there are holding strong.
Ukrainian Military observers have not yet assessed if Russian Troops will attack Kharkiv directly.
Earlier, Ukrainian general staff said there has been fighting in 9 different places, all with are along the front lines of Kharkiv.
Latest reports come from the general staff reported that the enemy was deploying “ground troops and technology.”
It has been expected that a summer offensive was coming, Russian forces have been building up forces by tens of thousands near the border.
It was never expected that Russian Forces would attack Kharkiv, being Ukraine's second-largest city.
US Institute for the Study of War referred to “limited operational objectives” which is drawing Ukrainian troops away from critical area’s on the front lines, but also allow themselves to get Kharkiv in range of Russian artillery.
It’s been suggested the limited deployment doesn’t look like Russian troops are trying to large-scale sweep attack, this would have Russian forces encircle Kharkiv city by then seize the city.
In the very beginning of the war in spring 2022, Russian troops entered Kharkiv but were pushed out.
Ukraine has attacked Russian border region of Belgorod which is north of Kharkiv, rocket artillery and drones being used according to Russian reports.
Shelling in Rovenki, located in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region of Ukraine, resulted in a fire at an oil depot.
Over two years ago, Russia initiated a full-scale war against Ukraine. Following a swift initial advance, Ukrainian forces managed to repel Moscow’s troops in certain regions.
However, the situation has since shifted: Ukraine’s military is struggling with significant shortages of weapons, ammunition, and personnel, compounded by relentless Russian missile and drone strikes.
Currently, Russia controls approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, encompassing Crimea, which was unlawfully annexed in 2014.
Thank you all for reading, I write about the news happening across the world because it affects all of us. In many ways, we may not see, it affects the rest of the world. Everyone deserves to know what is going on.
Prayers go out to those fighting on the front lines, to the families that await fathers, sons, uncles, nephews, and brothers to return home.
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