**Ukraine’s Army Chief Warns of New Russian Offensives in Northeast**
In a recent visit to the front lines in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine’s top military commander has sounded the alarm on a growing threat from renewed Russian offensives. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, warned that Russian troops are ramping up attacks in the sector using large numbers of soldiers.
According to Syrskyi, Ukrainian troops have successfully repelled over 60 Russian assaults in the area over the past week, with “about a dozen battles continuing to rage every day.” The situation on the ground is becoming increasingly intense, with fighting taking place near the town of Vovchansk and surrounding villages.
Syrskyi stressed that despite being outnumbered, Ukrainian forces must remain vigilant and apply effective tactical and technological solutions to prevent Russian advances. He also emphasized the importance of coordination between different military units, working closely with Joint Forces Commander Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi.
**Russian Advances in Kharkiv Oblast**
Kharkiv Oblast, located in northeastern Ukraine, has been a frequent target of Russian assaults and missile attacks since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Despite Ukraine’s successful counteroffensive in the northeast in the fall of 2022, which pushed Russian forces back to less than 5% of the region along the eastern edge, Russia has continued to launch new offensives.
In spring 2024, Russian forces opened a new front in the north of Kharkiv Oblast near the town of Vovchansk but were pushed back by Ukrainian troops. More recently, on July 4, DeepState reported that Russian forces had advanced up to 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) into Kharkiv Oblast near the border village of Milove, opening yet another front in the northeast.
**Recurring Threats**
The situation on the ground is precarious, with fighting remaining intense near Vovchansk and surrounding villages. According to Pavlo Shamshyn, spokesperson for Ukraine’s operational-tactical group “Kharkiv,” the number of Russian assault operations in the sector has sharply increased.
Andrii Pomahaibus, chief of staff of Ukraine’s 13th National Guard Khartiia Brigade, warned in May that Russia had been massing forces near the border, possibly preparing for a new offensive in the sector. Despite repeated calls from Ukraine and its international allies for an unconditional ceasefire, Russia has continued to launch ground attacks along the front and long-range missile and drone strikes targeting Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
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