UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Dec 6 – Ukrainian military pushed the Russians out of several areas on the Kharkiv axis, regaining their lost position near Hlyboke, reports the Insitute for the Study of War, based on the satellite imagery, in the assessment released on December 5.

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.)

In the Kupiansk direction, a Russian military blogger reported that the Russian army had advanced up to 0,6 miles in the areas of Kruhliakivka and Kopanok, and up to 2,4 miles near Zelenyi Hai and Lozova village. However, the ISW said that there was no confirmation of this claims.

In addition, the ISW concluded that throughout the fall, the Russian army seized 2,356 square kilometers of territory, losing about 125,800 troops. 

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  • Over the past year, the Russian troops have been building up reserves to intensify their offensive in the eastern direction, including the Kupiansk axis. Their goal is to reach the borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, said Nazar Voloshyn, spokesman for the “Khortytsia” strategic group of forces.