Russians trying to gain foothold amidst heavy fights – Zelenskyy on combat action in Kharkiv Oblast

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, has reported about heavy fighting in a large border territory in Kharkiv Oblast and attempts of the Russians to gain foothold in a number of villages there. Source: evening report by Zelenskyy Quote: "I heard the reports by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Chief of the Defence Intelligence, Minister of Internal Affairs.

The main attention [is focused on] Kharkiv Oblast. Defensive fights are ongoing, as well as heavy fighting on a large section of our border line.

There are villages that from a "grey zone" turned into combat zones, and the occupiers are trying to gain a foothold in some of them and use others for further advancing... Specifically, the situation is very complicated in the outskirts of the city of Vovchansk; the city is under constant Russian fire, and Ukrainian forces are conducting counteractions there and helping locals."

Details: Zelenskyy stressed that everyone in the Security and Defence Forces of Ukraine must be as efficient as possible right now. "The outcome of the war always depends on what you are capable of, what you are able to do, whether you are able to resist against the attacks and hold your positions. We need to be able to do it.

What matters most is our persistence and Ukrainian result in the fights," he added. Quote: "The aim of the strikes on Kharkiv Oblast is to distract our forces and disrupt the moral and motivational basis of the Ukrainians' ability to defend themselves. The situation on the Pokrovsk front is the hardest.

Over the past day alone, 30 combat clashes occurred on the Pokrovsk front.

The situation is also complicated on the Lyman, Vremivka, Kramatorsk and Kupiansk fronts."

Background: 

• On 10 May, it was reported that Russian forces had intensified their activities in Kharkiv Oblast, with fighting taking place there.
• Ukraine's Defence Ministry said that reserve units had been sent to the north of Kharkiv Oblast.
• DeepState analysts said that as of 12 May, Russian troops have seized six more settlements in Kharkiv Oblast.
• Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said on 12 May that the Ukrainian army was aware of Russia's plans and was responding effectively to Russian operations, but said the situation in Kharkiv Oblast was "getting more complicated".
• Ukraine's Defence Intelligence has said that it was aware of the timeline for Russian forces' offensive in the north of Kharkiv Oblast and has urged Russian soldiers to surrender.

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