In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russia announced on Saturday that it had seized control of six villages in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region following a surprise ground offensive.
The Russian Defense Ministry declared the capture of Borysivka, Ohirtseve, Pletenivka, Pylna, Strilecha, and Keramik, the latter located in Donetsk.
Ukrainian authorities confirmed heavy clashes near the border, with their forces engaged in fierce resistance against the advancing Russian troops. Despite efforts to contain the enemy’s advance, fighting persisted in the border area, leading to the evacuation of 1,775 individuals from the conflict zone.
Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Syniehubov assured residents that there was no imminent threat of a ground operation targeting the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest urban center. However, reports indicate intense fighting in the vicinity, heightening concerns about the security situation in the region.
As the conflict intensifies, President Volodymyr Zelensky urgently appealed for military assistance, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the pressing need for international support. Meanwhile, scenes of evacuation unfolded near Kharkiv, with scores of people fleeing the escalating violence, seeking safety in vehicles laden with belongings.
