UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Aug 20 — Over the past day, there were 14 combat clashes in the Kupiansk direction. Defense forces repelled Russian army attacks near Hlushkivka, Stelmakhivka, Kruhliakivka, Synkivka, Andriivka, and in the direction of Lozova, reported the General Staff.

Russia started its new offensive north and northeast in the Kharkiv region in May, but Ukrainian troops have stabilized the frontline in this section since. Now, heavy battles are ongoing in and around Vovchansk (three miles from the border, 46 miles away from Kharkiv) and near Lyptsi (six miles from the border, 12 miles from Kharkiv.)

In the Kharkiv direction, the Russian army conducted five assaults near Lyptsi and Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region.

On August 18, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported, citing Kharkiv Group of Forces’ spokesperson Colonel Vitalii Sarantsev, that a few weeks ago, Russian troops conducted 30 to 50 strikes a day in the Kharkiv direction, but now they drop fewer glide bombs (1-4 per day).

He added that Russians also might have reduced the number of air attacks to commit aviation to other directions (Pokrovsk, Kursk, Sumy) or to protect the jets against Kyiv’s attacks against Russian rear areas. 

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  • In the Kupiansk direction, Russians attacked Ukrainian positions near Synkivka, Hlushkivka, Kolisnykivka, Andriivka, Kruhliakivka, Stelmakhivka, and Berestove 16 times over the past day, reported the General Staff.