Russia presses renewed border assault in northeast Ukraine as thousands flee
Thousands more civilians have fled Russia's renewed ground offensive in Ukraine's northeast that has targeted towns and villages with a barrage of artillery and mortar fire.
Russia's Ground Offensive in Ukraine's Northeast
Russia's renewed ground offensive in Ukraine's northeast targeted towns and villages with a barrage of artillery and mortar fire, officials said Sunday. Thousands of civilians fled the Kharkiv region as the intense battle capitulated more land to Russian forces across less defended settlements in the so-called contested "gray zone" along the Russian border.
The town of Vovchansk, with a prewar population of 17,000, emerged as a focal point in the battle. Russian forces were reported to be in the outskirts of the town and approaching from three directions. Evacuation teams worked non-stop throughout the day to take residents, most of whom were elderly, out of harm's way. At least 4,000 civilians have fled the Kharkiv region since Friday, when Moscow's forces launched the operation.
Heavy fighting raged along the northeast front line, where Russian forces attacked 27 settlements in the past 24 hours. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its forces had captured four villages, in addition to five villages reported to have been seized the day before.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that halting Russia's offensive in the northeast was a priority, and that Kyiv's troops were continuing counteroffensive operations in seven villages around the Kharkiv region. He emphasized the importance of disrupting the Russian offensive intentions.
Analysts say the Russian push is designed to exploit ammunition shortages before promised Western supplies can reach the front line. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken denounced Russia's rush into Kharkiv, stating that the United States is doing "everything we can to rush this assistance out there."
Meanwhile, a 10-story apartment block collapsed in the Russian city of Belgorod, near the border, killing at least two people and injuring 20 others. Russian authorities said the building collapsed following Ukrainian shelling. Ukraine has not commented on the incident.