UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Apr. 23 — North of Kharkiv oblast near Vovchansk, Russian troops continue to conduct assaults in small groups, their logistics being disrupted by Ukrainian drone strikes, reported Dmytro Diukariev,  soldier of drone company “Karaiucha tin” (“Punishing shadow” from Ukrainian — ed.) of the Forpost brigade. 

Vovchansk, a city that was a focus of the Russian ground offensive in 2024, is split between two armies and completely destroyed. It’s located 10 km (~6,2 miles) from the state border and 50 km (~31 miles) from Kharkiv, the region’s center city. 

“The rear is shifting,” Diukarev said. “20 kilometers (12,4 miles) of (distance to the zero line) isn’t the rear anymore. All of it is a frontline, both for them and for us.” 

Sometimes, the battlefield resembles hell, Diukarev said. “Optic fiber is all across the fields,” Diukarev added. “It’s being wrapped around the wheels, it cuts drivers’ faces. (Drone) swarms are destroying the forest line. It’s so empty out there that — when everything is over, there won’t be any grass growing for some time. Our infantry are amazing people, holding defense in such an environment.” 

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