UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Oct 8 — The Institute for the Study of War, citing Russian military commanders, reports that the Russians may have recaptured the aggregate plant in Vovchansk. Vitalii Sarantsev, a spokesman for the “Kharkiv” group of forces, denied this information in conversation with Gwara Media.

Russians occupied the aggregate plant for the second time during the first week of the Kharkiv counteroffensive in May 2024, and Ukraine’s military intelligence unit pushed them out on September 24.  

Vitalii Sarantsev said that the aggregate plant in Vovchansk is under the control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

“The Institute for War Studies works with open sources and often uses Russian propaganda Telegram channels in its analysis. Apart from the statements of Russian bloggers, there is no further confirmation of it. We declare that the plant is under the control of the Defense Forces,” commented Sarantsev.

He added that Russians are conducting aerial reconnaissance in Vovchansk. They are trying to regroup their assault groups and set up logistics.

According to Sarantsev, it is unclear whether the Russian army is trying to seize the plant, but they are trying to advance through the city. 

“But the Russian military is failing to do so [advance through the city] because the Defense Forces track their movements and inflict fire damage, destroying their assault groups,” he emphasized.

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