UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, June 26 — Several dozen Russians are blocked at the aggregate plant in Vovchansk, Kharkiv region. They are trying to break through but are constantly suffering losses, said Oleh Syniehubov, Kharkiv Oblast Governor.

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.)

“The task of our military is to defeat the enemy in the Lyptsi and Vovchansk directions, destroying the maximum amount of [Russian] manpower, military equipment, and weapons,” said Syniehubov.

According to him, the Russians are using all their reserves to attack in these two directions.

“The enemy has paused its attacks, but the build-up of Russian forces continues. The same is happening in the Kupiansk direction. The enemy attacks in waves: after a certain build-up of forces, the occupants immediately send all their troops to attack,” added Syniehubov.

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 Defense Forces are holding their positions in the center of the village.

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  • Ukrainian forces continue to destroy Russian equipment in the Kharkiv region, forcing Russians to attack on foot, Yurii Povkh, the spokesman of Ukraine’s “Kharkiv” group of forces, said on Ukrainian TV on June 24.