UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Feb 20 — On Feb 19, the Russian army lost 81 soldiers (25 were killed, 51 injured) on the Kharkiv axis, and Ukraine captured five Russian soldiers, reported the “Kharkiv” group of forces. 

Russia started its offensive north and northeast in the Kharkiv region in May 2024, but Ukrainian troops have stabilized the frontline in this section since. Currently, heavy battles are ongoing in and around Vovchansk (three miles from the border, 46 miles away from Kharkiv) and Lyptsi (six miles from the border, 12 miles from Kharkiv.)

Over the past day, the Russian military five times tried to get through Ukrainian defenses near Vovchansk and Zapadne. Russia conducted two airstrikes using seven glide bombs and 66 drone strikes. Overall, during the day, Russia shelled Ukrainian positions 515 times on the Kharkiv axis. 

Russia also lost 66 weapons and military equipment units, particularly two artillery systems, 11 cars, six special equipment units, and 47 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). 

Also, Ukraine’s armed forces destroyed 85 shelters of Russian personnel, three ammo storages, and one drone launching site. 

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