UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Aug 21 — In Donetsk and northern Kharkiv regions, the Russians are using their superiority in missiles and artillery ammunition to achieve their goals at the frontline, Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. 

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

Oleksandr Syrskyi said that the Russians are using these methods to reach the border of the Donetsk region and create a buffer zone in the Kharkiv region bordering Ukraine.

Syrskyi also added that the length of the active combat line at the front is now 646 miles. In addition, the Ukrainian military is closing sections of the state border with Russia, Belarus, and Moldova on a 1,486-mile stretch.

On August 20, the “Kharkiv” group of forces reported that the Russian army has increased aerial reconnaissance near Hlyboke and Vovchansk and is preparing for assault operations near Vovchansk.

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