KHARKIV, Ukraine: The situation in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region remains dire as thousands of individuals are evacuated from border areas amid relentless strikes by Russian forces targeting key towns.
The cross-border offensive, initiated on Friday, has seen Moscow’s troops making incremental gains in an area where they were previously repelled nearly two years ago.
Kharkiv regional governor Oleg Synegubov reported on social media that a total of 4,073 people have been evacuated, highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis. Tragically, casualties have been reported, including the death of a 63-year-old man due to artillery fire in the village of Glyboke, while a 38-year-old man was wounded in Vovchansk, a town now under constant bombardment.
Senior police officer Oleksiy Kharkivsky described the harrowing situation in Vovchansk, where the city is being relentlessly bombarded, causing widespread destruction and casualties. Despite the risks, evacuation efforts continue amid ongoing attacks, with an estimated 1,500 people evacuated or fled from Vovchansk since the onset of the offensive.
The urgency of the situation is underscored by President Volodymyr Zelensky’s declaration of counterattacks by Ukrainian troops in border villages, emphasizing the imperative to disrupt Russian offensive plans. Zelensky reiterated the pressing need for international support, urging allies to expedite arms deliveries to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Warnings from Ukrainian officials regarding potential Russian aggression in northeastern border regions have materialized, exacerbating an already precarious situation as Ukraine grapples with delays in aid and manpower shortages.
