Zelensky: Russian military launches a new offensive in Kharkiv Oblast of Ukraine.

On the morning of May 10, 2024, Russian forces launched a significant armored ground assault in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, signaling a new phase in the ongoing conflict. This recent offensive, anticipated by Kyiv for several months, aims to push Ukrainian forces away from their northern border, aligning with Russian President Vladimir Putin's stated goal of establishing a buffer zone.
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The 53rd Mechanized Brigade in Ukraine engaged in combat operations on May 6, 2024 (Picture source: Ukrainian MoD)

In the last 24 hours, the situation in Kharkiv has significantly intensified. Russian forces employed guided aerial bombs for airstrikes, particularly targeting Vovchansk, increasing pressure as night approached. Social media also reported the use of MLRS Grad from the Belgorod region.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reported that it had dispatched reserve units to the border area following the Russian attempt to breach its defenses, supported by armored vehicles and artillery. Despite these challenges, the ministry confirmed that the initial attacks had been repelled, although intense fighting continues throughout the region.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at a press conference in Kyiv shortly after the attacks began, described the situation as a new wave of counter-offensive actions by Russia. He emphasized Ukraine's preparedness to face these challenges, noting that the armed forces were ready to meet the enemy with robust resistance.

The strategic focus of the conflict appears to be shifting, as Russian military efforts in recent months have primarily concentrated in the southern and eastern Donbas regions. The decision to escalate operations in Kharkiv might be an attempt to divert Ukrainian forces from other fronts or could signify a more substantial effort to capture territory around Ukraine’s second-largest city.

Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that Russian forces had intensified their artillery shelling, particularly around the border town of Vovchansk, located just 35 miles northeast of Kharkiv. He noted ongoing nighttime bombardments with guided aerial bombs and artillery, as well as unsuccessful attempts by Russian reconnaissance groups to cross the border.

In response to the escalating violence, Syniehubov urged residents in the northern part of the region, especially those near Vovchansk, to heed evacuation orders. He reassured that Ukrainian forces confidently held their positions and that the enemy's capabilities were limited mainly to provocations in the northern direction.

The resurgence of conflict in Kharkiv is part of a broader pattern observed over the last two years since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. Initially, in 2022, Ukrainian forces had successfully driven Russian troops out of much of the Kharkiv region. However, after withstanding a counter-offensive from Kyiv last year, Russian forces have returned, advancing slowly, particularly in the Donetsk region to the south.

The regional capital, Kharkiv, has also suffered severe shelling in recent weeks, which some military observers believe could be preparation for a large-scale attack. This situation aligns with Putin’s vow to create a "sanitary zone" around Kharkiv to prevent Ukrainian attacks from reaching Russia’s own border regions.

In the border town of Vovchansk, which had a pre-war population of 17,000 now reduced to just a few thousand, the situation remains dire with ongoing massive shelling. Authorities are currently assisting civilians in their evacuation efforts amid the continuous threat.

While it is difficult to draw premature conclusions about the outcomes of these initial confrontations, as the conflict continues, the balance of power remains precarious. More than two years into the invasion, Moscow holds battlefield momentum, while Ukraine struggles with shortages of manpower and essential supplies such as artillery shells and air defenses. The ongoing struggle underscores the significant challenges Ukraine faces as it seeks to defend its territory and maintain its sovereignty.