UKRAINE, VOVCHANSK, Oct. 21 — Russian troops have advanced toward Synelnykove village, close to Vovchansk city in the Kharkiv region, said a senior lieutenant of the Defence Forces with a call sign “Alex.”

Vovchansk, a city located to the north of Kharkiv, was one of the main targets of a Russian offensive in May 2024. Russian attacks back then have completely destroyed the city — now, Ukraine’s army is fighting to prevent Russia from advancing beyond the Vovcha river.

“Alex” said that сonstant autumn rains and bad weather in the area severely impact logistics and create difficult conditions for infantry on both sides.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has not yet confirmed reports of Russian advances near Synelnykove, as well as on the left bank of the Vovcha river in Vovchansk and in the nearest Tykhe village.

At the same time, the ISW reports that on Oct. 18-19, the Ukrainian forces are holding their positions or have even advanced in the southwestern part of Tyhiy, despite the Russian claims of their presence there. 

ISW also recorded the advance of Ukrainian units in the center of Kupiansk — an area in which Russian sources previously claimed that Russian forces maintained a presence.

However, on Oct. 20, DeepState, a Ukrainian OSINT war monitoring group, reported about Russian advances in Kupiansk in Vovchansk.

Also, on October 20, the Ukrainian army created the Joint Forces with responsibility for the Kharkiv region and the nearest areas — “one of the most difficult and intense axes on the front line.” Mykhailo Drapatyi became the head of the Joint Forces.

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