MOSCOW: Russian military officials announced on Friday that their forces had made significant advancements in their offensive positions near two settlements neighboring the town of Kupiansk, located in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region.
The areas of Kharkiv and Kupiansk had been retaken by Kyiv’s forces in September of last year, but Russia has since initiated a counteroffensive in the region.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its troops had “enhanced the tactical situation” along the front lines near the settlements of Vilshana and Pershotravneve.
In a separate statement, the ministry confirmed that its forces had conducted an operation targeting a temporary base allegedly housing foreign mercenaries within the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia. However, specific details regarding the operation were not provided.
Ukraine Accuses Russia of Airstrike on Hotel
Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported that Russia had launched an airstrike on a hotel in Zaporizhzhia on Thursday, resulting in the unfortunate death of one individual.
The United Nations expressed concern over the incident, highlighting that the hotel served as a frequent accommodation for its staff and personnel from various organizations. It was utilized as a central hub for travel and operations within the city.
The escalating tensions in Ukraine’s northeastern region have raised international alarm, prompting increased scrutiny and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.
The developments come amidst ongoing negotiations between international stakeholders aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict and preventing further violence.
