Liteumsoft.net has obtained information from Ukrainian sources and officials indicating that Russian forces have launched two cross-border assaults in northern Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has described these actions as a “new wave of counteroffensive actions” by Russia.
According to a Ukrainian military source, Russian soldiers advanced at least one kilometer towards the town of Vovchansk with the aim of creating a buffer zone along the border to secure Russian territory from the conflict. Additionally, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reported that Russian soldiers, supported by armored vehicles, crossed the border at approximately 5:00 am on Friday, following heightened attacks on the border area.
A second Ukrainian source revealed that Russian forces penetrated five kilometers into Ukraine towards the village of Krasne, utilizing four battalions totaling about 2,000 men. Ukrainian officials confirmed Russian attacks in the Krasne area but provided limited details.
DeepStateMap, a Ukrainian monitoring group, noted that the number of Russian forces involved in the assaults may not be sufficient for a deeper advance into Ukrainian territory, but Moscow has around 40,000 troops positioned along the border.
Zelensky acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but stated that Ukraine’s military had anticipated such a move. He confirmed a fierce battle in the area but indicated that Ukrainian forces had stopped the enemy with artillery fire.
Oleh Syniehubov, head of Kharkiv’s regional military administration, reported two civilian deaths and several injuries as a result of the Russian offensive. Authorities have instructed residents of border villages to evacuate, with 1,775 people evacuated from Kharkiv region so far.
These developments represent the most serious cross-border ground assault by Russia since Ukraine re-captured northern Kharkiv region territory in 2022. Despite the increased Russian air attacks on Kharkiv in recent months, Syniehubov reassured that the city is not under heightened risk from the current ground assaults.
Analysts caution that if Russian forces advance further south, it could potentially bring the northern edge of Kharkiv within range of Russian artillery.
