UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Feb. 16 — Russian forces attempted to bypass Vovchansk from the flanks and to find weak spots in the Ukrainian defense line, said Roman Kosse, the head of the press service of the Forpost Brigade, during the national telethon.

Vovchansk, a city north of the Kharkiv oblast, was one of the main targets of a Russian offensive in May 2024. Currently, the city is destroyed, and combat clashes are still ongoing there.

According to the Forpost Brigade, Ukrainian drones are controlling the city’s area, so Russians are trying to bypass Vovchansk.

“This is what happened before with other cities — Bakhmut, Avdiivka. In other words, they are using a tactic of not attacking the city head-on, but bypassing it through the nearest villages, fields, and forest belts,” said Kosse.

He said it was very difficult for Ukrainian units to hold their defenses there, so they moved. Since then, according to Kosse, there have been no Russian advances in the city.

Kosse also noted the difference between logistic tactics. While the Ukrainian military’s task is to provide water, food, ammunition, and warm clothing, the Russians’ logistics task is to deliver infantry to the frontline for assault.

Since early February, Ukrainian forces have also noticed Russia amassing military equipment north of the Kharkiv region.

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