UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, June 17 — The Russian army is advancing most actively in Vovchansk, Kharkiv region, the spokesperson of Ukraine’s northern forces, Yurii Povkh, said on Ukrainian TV.

The Ukrainian military has stabilized the frontline north and northeast of the Kharkiv region, where Russia launched a new ground offensive in May. Currently, heavy fighting is ongoing in and around Vovchansk and on the Lyptsi axis. 

“In the Kharkiv direction, combat engagements are ongoing, and Russian troops continue to attack. In particular, in Vovchansk. The enemy continues to deploy units of the 138th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade into combat despite the losses,” noted Povkh.

He noted that residents of Kharkiv and the region no longer suffer from massive Russian shelling. The Ukrainian military destroyed 33 Russian shelters, one ammunition depot, and one unmanned aerial vehicle launcher over the past day.

The General Staff reported that the Russian army attacked the Ukrainian positions five times in the Kharkiv direction and four more times in the Kupiansk direction over the past day.

The Russian army attacked Ukrainian positions near Vovchansk five times. The Ukrainian military repelled three assaults, and two more clashes are ongoing. In the Kupiansk direction, the Ukrainian forces repelled two Russian attacks, and fighting is continuing near Synkivka and Stepova Novoselivka.

As Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said on June 12, the Russian army is conducting unsuccessful offensives, trying to advance deep into Ukrainian positions and create a “safety belt” for their forces.

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