UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, June 6 — The Russians are advancing to the northern outskirts of Starytsia near Vovchansk, but the situation is stable north of Kharkiv, reported the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on June 4.

On May 10, Russia launched a new ground offensive north and northeast of the Kharkiv region, in the Vovchansk and Lyptsi directions. Russia’s primary goal in a new offensive would be to stretch Ukrainian troops and resources and force Ukraine to redistribute manpower and military equipment along the frontline. 

According to analysts, Russian troops continued their offensive in the Lyptsi direction, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline. Combat was ongoing near Lyptsi and Hlyboke (north of Lyptsi).

However, geolocation footage shows that Russia has advanced to the northern outskirts of the village of Starytsia. Combat was ongoing there, and in Vovchansk, the Institute noted.

Kharkiv battle map as of June 4 / Photo: ISW

“Ukrainian Khortytsia Group of Forces Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn stated that Ukrainian forces control roughly 70% of Vovchansk. Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian artillery units are trying to destroy crossings over the Vovcha River within Vovchansk to complicate Ukrainian logistics and claimed that Russian forces have already destroyed three crossings in the town,” the ISW reported.

At the same time, analysts said, the commander of a Ukrainian platoon operating in the northern Kharkiv region noted that Russian troops continue to conduct heavy infantry attacks in the area and that Russians do not approach their equipment within two to three miles of the international border to avoid Ukrainian strikes.

After visiting combat zones in the Kupiansk and Kharkiv directions, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi said Russian troops conduct active assaults in Vovchansk and near Chasiv Yar (Donetsk region) to seize these cities.

Syrskyi said that the Russians are concentrating their main efforts in the Kharkiv direction (north of the Kharkiv Oblast) to advance towards Hlyboke-Lyptsi but suffer significant losses and fail.

The Commander-in-Chief also noted that the overall situation on the frontline remains complicated due to the high-intensity combat and the Russians’ extensive use of armored vehicles and guided aerial bombs.

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