Ukraine claimed on Wednesday that its forces have "partially pushed" Russian troops out of the city of Vovchansk in the country's northeastern Kharkiv region, where clashes between the two warring nations have intensified since last week.
"The defense forces repelled the offensive actions of the Russian occupiers in the area of Vovchansk, partially pushed enemy forces from the settlement, and defensive actions continue in the northern and northwestern outskirts," Ukraine's General Staff said in a statement.
The statement said Russian forces have been focusing their efforts in the directions of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region and Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region since early Wednesday, with three clashes reported in the direction of Kharkiv city.
Earlier in the day, Nazar Voloshyn, a spokesman for the Khortytsia group of troops, told the country's national television network United News that, while the situation on the eastern front remains aggravated, they have prevented Russian troops from breaking through and have stabilized the situation, particularly in the direction of Kharkiv.
He added that fighting is still going on in Vovchansk and Lukyantsi, the latter of which is about 41 kilometers (25 miles) from Kharkiv and was previously claimed by the Russian Defense Ministry to have been captured by its forces.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesperson Dmytro Lazutkin told United News that Russia is trying to gain a foothold in the north of Vovchansk with small infantry groups.
But he vowed that their task is to prevent Russian forces from gaining a foothold.
Russian authorities have not yet responded to the claims, and independent verification of Ukraine's claims is difficult due to the ongoing war.
Last Friday, Ukraine's Defense Ministry said Russian forces attempted to break through the country's defenses in the Kharkiv region, opening a new front in the over two-year-long conflict that is concentrated in the country's east and south.
Since then, Russia has claimed control of several border settlements in the region during its offensive, particularly near the city of Vovchansk, which is about 74 kilometers (45 miles) from Ukraine's second-largest city of Kharkiv. -
Sondakika-haberleri net
"The defense forces repelled the offensive actions of the Russian occupiers in the area of Vovchansk, partially pushed enemy forces from the settlement, and defensive actions continue in the northern and northwestern outskirts," Ukraine's General Staff said in a statement.
The statement said Russian forces have been focusing their efforts in the directions of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region and Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region since early Wednesday, with three clashes reported in the direction of Kharkiv city.
Earlier in the day, Nazar Voloshyn, a spokesman for the Khortytsia group of troops, told the country's national television network United News that, while the situation on the eastern front remains aggravated, they have prevented Russian troops from breaking through and have stabilized the situation, particularly in the direction of Kharkiv.
He added that fighting is still going on in Vovchansk and Lukyantsi, the latter of which is about 41 kilometers (25 miles) from Kharkiv and was previously claimed by the Russian Defense Ministry to have been captured by its forces.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesperson Dmytro Lazutkin told United News that Russia is trying to gain a foothold in the north of Vovchansk with small infantry groups.
But he vowed that their task is to prevent Russian forces from gaining a foothold.
Russian authorities have not yet responded to the claims, and independent verification of Ukraine's claims is difficult due to the ongoing war.
Last Friday, Ukraine's Defense Ministry said Russian forces attempted to break through the country's defenses in the Kharkiv region, opening a new front in the over two-year-long conflict that is concentrated in the country's east and south.
Since then, Russia has claimed control of several border settlements in the region during its offensive, particularly near the city of Vovchansk, which is about 74 kilometers (45 miles) from Ukraine's second-largest city of Kharkiv. -
Sondakika-haberleri net