UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Apr. 29 — Ukrainian forces advanced north of the Kharkiv oblast, said the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), citing geolocated footage that shows Russian forces striking a Ukrainian position in the southern outskirts of Vovchansk.

Vovchansk, a city that was a focus of the Russian ground offensive in 2024, is split between two armies and 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.

Last week, Russian forces resumed active assaults on border settlements north of Kharkiv oblast, changing their direction, reported the Ukrainian military. Now, Russians are trying to attack near Budarky and Zemlianky settlements.

According to ISW, Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks in the Velykyi Burluk direction on Apr. 28 but did not advance as Ukrainian forces counterattacked.

The Ukrainian Telegram channel “Polkovnyk from OTU” explained that last year the Russians were actively advancing south of Vovchansk toward the Vilcha settlement, but now they have changed their direction of movement.

“South of Vovchansk, the forested area ends, and open terrain begins—practically nothing but bare fields. Crossing them under current conditions would be suicidal,” said the channel.

“Polkovnyk from OTU”’s author thinks that task correction is the main reason for Russian tactical changes. Previously, the Russian command had planned to launch two attacks converging on the Velykyi Burluk area, either to close the ring or, under the threat of encirclement, to force Ukrainian Armed Forces units to leave the heavily fortified area. But the Russians were stopped on the left flank near Vilcha and on the right flank near Dvorichanske. That is why they decided to establish buffer zones along the border, said the channel.

Vilcha and Dvorichanske in Kharkiv oblast
Vilcha and Dvorichanske in Kharkiv oblast / Photo: DeppState

Russians also continued intensified infiltration missions and limited ground assaults in the Kupiansk direction, but did not advance.

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