Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the ongoing conflict near Kharkiv, marking Russia's most significant territorial expansion in Ukraine in 18 months. Despite the challenges, Zelensky reassured that the situation was "under control" during his meeting with military leaders in the city, located just 18 miles from the Russian border. Last week, Moscow launched a surprise ground assault into the Kharkiv region, further straining Ukraine's already outnumbered and outgunned forces.
In his Telegram message, Zelensky acknowledged the arduous circumstances, emphasizing Ukrainian soldiers' success in inflicting substantial losses on the occupying forces. He also noted ongoing efforts to reinforce their units. According to analysis from the AFP news agency, Russia claimed 278 sq km (107 sq miles) of Ukrainian territory between May 9 and 15, marking its largest single operation gain since December 2022, based on data from the Institute for the Study of War.
Ukraine's military spokesperson, Lt Col Nazar Voloshyn, reported a halving of advancing Russian forces in some areas. However, he cautioned that the enemy was still attempting to pave the way for further advancements. Most of Russia's recent territorial acquisitions occurred in the Kharkiv region, with additional claims in the eastern Donetsk and southern Zaporizhzhia regions.
Ukraine also alleged civilian casualties in Vovchansk during intense combat. Interior Minister Igor Klymenko stated on Telegram that one resident was killed while attempting to flee on foot. The BBC has not independently confirmed this assertion. Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted on Wednesday that his troops were making progress on all fronts, a statement that raised concerns among military analysts who speculate that Moscow might seek to divert Ukrainian forces from other conflict zones.
The escalation of Russian offensives across multiple fronts highlights the dire shortages of ammunition and manpower plaguing the Ukrainian military. These developments coincided with President Putin's rare visit to China, where he and President Xi Jinping advocated for a "political solution" to the "Ukraine crisis."
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