UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, June 19 — There were six combat engagements in the Kharkiv direction on June 18. Ukrainian forces repelled four Russian attacks, and two more are still underway, reported the General Staff.

On May 10, Russia launched a new ground offensive north and northeast of the Kharkiv region, in the Vovchansk and Lyptsi directions. Currently, the frontline is reportedly stabilized by Ukraine’s troops, and heavy fighting is ongoing.

Russian troops lost 168 troops in the Kharkiv direction over the past day. The Ukrainian military also destroyed a Russian tank, an armored combat vehicle, and two cars. In addition, they damaged another Russian tank, an artillery system, and a vehicle.

The number of combat engagements in the Kupiansk direction increased to 12. Ukrainian troops repelled eight enemy attacks near Synkivka, Stepova Novoselivka, and Pishchane. Four more combat engagements are ongoing.

Oleh Syniehubov, Kharkiv Oblast Governor, said the Kupiansk direction is more important to the Russian army now than the north.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that in the Kupiansk direction, Russian troops are conducting offensives, trying to break through the defense of the Ukrainian army, and capture essential areas or settlements that impact the strength of the Ukrainian defense.

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