The Russian forces have retreated to the northern periphery of Vovchansk, a key border municipality north of Kharkiv, thanks to strong Ukrainian artillery power. Despite a shortage of ammunition in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, there is no shortage detected in Vovchansk. The intensity of Russian attacks in the region has decreased, but there is still a risk of new offensives in neighboring areas.
Reinforcements have arrived to hold back the Russian advance on the new Kharkiv front in Ukraine. The lightning offensive that began on May 10 has been stopped after a few days of rapid progress. Ukrainian soldiers in the area have confirmed that reserve battalions have been transferred to Kharkiv, along with units from two brigades fighting on the Donetsk front. This suggests that the Russian objective may be to create a new focus of fighting in Kharkiv to reduce troops in Donetsk.
President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Kharkiv to assess the situation and met with military commanders. He acknowledged the extreme difficulty of the situation but assured that it is under control. There are concerns about potential new offensives in other parts of the Kharkiv province, leading to the evacuation of residents. Zelensky has canceled international travel plans to focus on the crisis in his country.
The city of Kharkiv is facing consistent attacks from Russian air forces, prompting calls for additional air defense systems from the United States. The lack of anti-aircraft systems has allowed intense bombing by Russian aviation. The Russian army is also using cluster munitions, which are particularly dangerous in urban areas. Attacks on civilian areas, such as a care center in Vovchansk, have resulted in casualties, highlighting the brutality of the conflict.
The situation in Kharkiv remains tense, with ongoing battles and the threat of further offensives
