UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Dec 12 – In the Kharkiv direction, the Russians have built up enough manpower and equipment to launch a second offensive from the north, said Oleksandr Danylenko, head of the communication for the “Gart” border guard brigade, to Ukrainian outlet Suspilne.

“The enemy’s [Russian] manpower and equipment in the direction is sufficient to allow them to try again to launch the offensive [like in May], which was so massive that it was able to break through our defenses. The situation is serious, but we are controlling it,” said Danylenko

Russia started its offensive north and northeast in the Kharkiv region on May 10, 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.)

According to Danylenko, the Russians use both small and large groups for assaults on Ukraine’s positions.

“Assaults vary in size. Sometimes they involve small groups of four or five people, while other times, they come in larger numbers, like a full company. These so-called “meat” assaults aim to break through to their assigned positions. However, we intercept and eliminate these groups. Their goal is to secure a foothold so that more experienced Russian troops can follow, but our forces prevent them from advancing. The enemy has not been able to make progress in this direction,” said Danylenko.

General Staff reported that over the past day, in the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops stormed Ukrainian positions six times without success in the areas of Hlyboke, Lyptsi, Starytsia, and Vovchansk.

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  • In the Kupiansk direction, the Ukrainian army repelled 11 Russian attacks near Petropavlivka, Kolisnykivka, Zahryzove, Hlushkivka, and Lozova, reported the General Staff.