UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, June 27 — In the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops attempted to attack Ukrainian positions ten times near Vovchansk, Lyptsi, Sotnytskyi Kozachok, and Hlyboke. In Vovchansk, as of 10 p.m. on June 26, combat was still ongoing in three locations, reported the General Staff.

Russia started their 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.)

General Staff reported the Ukrainian forces destroyed and damaged 40 units of Russian weapons and military equipment in the Kharkiv direction over the past day. Also, Ukrainian troops destroyed 30 Russian dugouts.

The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that the Ukrainian defense forces have partially taken back positions in Vovchansk and the village of Starytsia.

ISW reported that Ukrainian forces have counterattacked and recently taken back some tactical positions northeast of Kharkiv. In Starytsia, the Armed Forces are holding their positions in the center of the village.

The Russian army attacked Ukrainian positions in the Kupiansk direction eight times. Ukrainian defenders repelled six attacks near Stepova Novoselivka, Synkivka, Stelmakhivka, and Berestove, the General Staff informs. As of the evening of June 26, combat was ongoing near Synkivka and Stepova Novoselivka.

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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