UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, June 5 — Russian troops conduct active assaults in Vovchansk and near Chasiv Yar (Donetsk region) to seize these cities, said Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi after visiting combat zone in the Kupiansk and Kharkiv directions.

On May 10, Russia launched a new ground offensive north and northeast of the Kharkiv region, in the Vovchansk and Lyptsi directions. Russia’s primary goal in a new offensive would be to stretch Ukrainian troops and resources and force Ukraine to redistribute manpower and military equipment along the frontline.  

“The situation near Kupiansk is difficult. The enemy is trying to break through our defenses from two directions. Fierce clashes are ongoing,” Syrskyi said.

Syrskyi also said that the Russians are concentrating their main efforts in the Kharkiv direction (north of the Kharkiv Oblast) on trying to advance towards Hlyboke-Lyptsi, but suffer significant losses and fail.

“In Vovchansk, our main task at this stage is to hold back the enemy, inflict maximum losses on them, and move forward to liberate our territories,” said the Commander-in-Chief.

Syrskyi noted that the overall situation on the frontline remains complicated due to the high intensity of hostilities and the Russians’ extensive use of armored vehicles and guided aerial bombs.

As the General Staff reported, the Russian army increased the intensity of assaults in the Kupiansk direction. Russian troops attacked the positions of Ukrainian forces seven times, and combat is still ongoing in two settlements.

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