UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Oct 28 — The Russian army actively uses North Korean artillery shells of 122 and 152 mm caliber in the Kharkiv direction. There is also information about the supply of Iranian ammunition, according to reports from Lieutenant Colonel Yevhen Romanov, the spokesperson for the “Kharkiv” group of forces, referred to by the Institute for the Study of War.

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.)

Romanov said that North Korean missiles are of poor quality, they do not hit the target, and do not explode at the right time.

On October 27, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) also reported that the Russian troops continued their offensive in the north of the Kharkiv region but did not make any confirmed advances.

The ISW maintains that that the goal of the Russian command on Kharkiv axis is to push Ukrainian forces away from the border with Belgorod Oblast and get closer to Kharkiv within range of artillery. 

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  • In the Kupiansk direction, there were 13 attacks, which Ukrainian forces repelled near Holubivka, Pishchane, Petropavlivka, Kolisnykivka, and Lozova, reported the General Staff.