NOS News•today, 2:27 PM
The Russian army appears to have started a new ground offensive in the region around Kharkiv, the Ukrainian army reports. The border town of Vovchansk, about 50 kilometers northwest of Kharkiv, was attacked from Russian territory. According to Ukraine, the Russians have crossed the border and taken over a kilometer of territory.
It would be the first time since the autumn of 2022 that Russia has launched an attack from Russian territory. If successful, it could mean a new Russian front in the war.
According to Ukraine, the offensive started around 5 a.m. and an initial attack by Ukrainian forces was repulsed. The ministry reports that new fighting is breaking out in several places and that reinforcements are on their way to the area.
In recent weeks, the Ukrainians have warned several times about an attack on the Kharkiv region. Just two days ago, the governor of the province said that the Russians had gathered many troops on the other side of the border.
Daily shelling
Kharkiv is the second city in the country after Kyiv. Before the war, about 1.4 million people lived there. Russia has stepped up air raids on the city in recent months. Shellings and explosions take place every day.
Volchansk had more than 17,000 inhabitants before the war, but it is unclear how many people still live there at the moment. Ukrainian emergency services have started evacuating the city.
