UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Jun 20 — Russian troops increased the number of their assaults near Lyptsi north of Kharkiv, said Pavlo Shamshyn, a spokesperson of Operational Tactical Group “Kharkiv,” during a national telethon.

Lyptsi is a village in Kharkiv Oblast, six miles from the border and 12 miles from Kharkiv. Russia wants to reoccupy this part of the region for the second time so that the range of their tube artillery could reach Kharkiv.

Shamshyn said that Russian forces increased their assault activity to return territories they lost in May — back then, the 13th National Guard Brigade “Khartia” and the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade liberated over 200 hectares of forest territory north of Lyptsi.

Shamshyn also noted that small groups of Russians are actively trying to advance in Vovchansk and near the city. “Now, Ukrainian forces keep the territories on the north bank of the Vovcha River, including the Aggregate Plant.”

Shamshyn also reiterated that Dvorichna on the Kupiansk axis turned into a “kill-zone” for Russian troops.

“Russians need to build pontoon bridges over the Oskil River to create the foothold for advancement towards Kupiansk from the northeast. Recently, they tried to build one pontoon but failed,” he said.

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