UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Apr. 22 — More than 500 agricultural companies have been either destroyed or seriously damaged because of Russian attacks on Kharkiv oblast, said Oleh Syniehubov, the governor of the Kharkiv region, during the briefing with journalists.

According to Syniehubov, Russians have destroyed nearly 1,600 units of agricultural equipment since the full-scale invasion started. 

Farmers in the Kharkiv region can use credit programs and compensation for the purchased equipment, but not all banks approve financing because of the close location to the front lines, said the governor.

The governor mentioned the Zolochiv settlement north of Kharkiv oblast, where civilian infrastructure is constantly under Russian attacks.

“In Zolochiv (community), there are farms that, for example, used to plant 3,000 hectares out of 10,000 available (after the Russian full-scale invasion — ed.). But this year, unfortunately, they won’t be planting a single hectare,” said Syniehubov.

He said that the main problem is not demining. The Russians are using drones to destroy agricultural equipment completely, and the top priority is “to save the lives of the people who operate that equipment.”

Also, Syniehubov said that over the past few days, the Russians have attacked Bohodukhiv and its surroundings with nearly 50 drones. All strikes targeted only civilian infrastructure.

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