Ukraine says it repelled Russian bid to cross border
Ukraine has announced the successful repulsion of a Russian armored assault in the north-eastern Kharkiv region, following an incursion by Moscow’s forces across the border and attempts to breach defensive positions.
Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the Kharkiv region, reported that Russian reconnaissance units attempted to breach the border but were unable to advance, asserting that no territory had been lost.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia had initiated a fresh series of counteroffensive operations in the Kharkiv area. Meanwhile, a significant fire erupted at an oil storage facility in the occupied Luhansk region, allegedly caused by a Ukrainian strike according to Russian-backed officials, resulting in three casualties.
Ukrainian military leaders have anticipated a potential summer offensive, possibly targeting the regional capital of Kharkiv. Despite this, officials remain confident that Russia lacks the capacity to seize the city.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s center for countering disinformation, emphasized that while Russia could escalate tensions along the border, it lacked the capability to capture Kharkiv.
Reports indicate that Russia aimed to establish a 10km buffer zone in its Belgorod region in response to recent Ukrainian cross-border attacks.
The incursions on Friday across the Russian border represent a recurring threat for Ukrainian forces.
According to Ukraine’s defense ministry, the attack commenced with heavy bombardment of Vovchansk, employing guided aerial bombs and artillery support. Subsequently, small Russian reconnaissance units crossed the border in multiple locations.
The local administration in Vovchansk reported extensive attacks on the town from the early hours of Friday, resulting in civilian evacuations and casualties.
The defense ministry confirmed that attempts by the enemy to breach their defensive lines with armored vehicles had been repelled, though sporadic fighting persists.
President Zelensky acknowledged engagement between Russian forces and Ukrainian troops, indicating an ongoing intense battle.
As civilians are evacuated from the Vovchansk district, reserve troops are being mobilized, according to officials.
In the occupied Luhansk region, Russian officials reported that Ukrainian forces had attacked the city of Rovenky, killing three people and injuring seven.
The Russian-installed health ministry said four of those injured were in a serious condition.
“Because of the shelling, the oil depot was engulfed by flames and nearby houses were damaged,” Russian-installed Governor Leonid Pasechnik wrote on Telegram.
It was the second such attack this week. On Wednesday, an attack on another oil depot in the region injured five people.
Ukrainian bloggers and Telegram channels reported Friday’s attack and posted pictures of a large blaze.
However, there has been no comment from Ukrainian officials.
On Friday, the US announced a new $400m (£319m; €371m) military aid package for Ukraine.
It will be Washington’s third instalment of aid to the country after months of political deadlock and delays – adding to the previous package worth a total of $7bn sent in late April.
In a statement, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced that the “urgently needed” aid would include air defence munitions, artillery rounds, anti-tank weapons and armoured vehicles.
On Friday, the White House gave its assessment of the situation, with National Security Spokesman John Kirby telling reporters the US thinks Russia “will make further advances in the coming weeks to try and establish a buffer zone along the Ukrainian border”.
However, he said that Washington was confident in Ukraine’s ability to withstand such attacks, and would be “working around the clock” to ensure the country had all the necessary tools and weapons to do so.
Moscow has been looking to capitalise on the delayed arrival of US ammunition and weaponry by continuing to push in the eastern Donetsk region.
The return of heavy fighting in the north-east further illustrates Russia’s growing confidence and ambitions.
The deputy chief of Ukraine’s military intelligence, Maj Gen Vadyn Skibitsky, told The Economist last week that Russia was gearing up for an assault on both Kharkiv and the northern region of Sumy. That warning was repeated by the commander of Ukrainian ground forces, Lt Gen Oleksandr Pavliuk.
Tens of thousands of Russian forces are said to have gathered on the border.
You could be forgiven for seeing a repeat of 2022, when Russia failed to capture Kharkiv and Sumy in the early weeks of its full-scale invasion. Russian forces did occupy the border town of Vovchansk for several months, until they were pushed out in September 2022.
Ukraine state border service Vovchansk was liberated by Ukraine in 2022 after months of Russian occupationUkraine state border service
Vovchansk was liberated by Ukraine in 2022 after months of Russian occupation
Outwardly at least, officials and generals do not think either of the two regional capitals could fall.
Russia was unable to conquer either city when it had a larger, better-trained force than it does now. Ukrainian sources estimate around 90% of that original 150,000 army are either dead or wounded.
Military commentator Oleksandr Kovalenko has pointed out that Russia needed some 80,000 troops to capture the small eastern city of Avdiivka last February, after months of bombardment. Big cities such as Sumy and Kharkiv were on a completely different scale, he said.
Secondly, Russia has talked about creating a buffer zone between its Belgorod region and Ukraine.
That is because Ukrainian troops have continued to launch artillery strike on Russian territory, to the nervousness of some Western allies.
