Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kharkiv, Russians retreat to some areas

2022-05-07 19:31:38Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kharkiv, Russians retreat to some areas

Intense fighting is taking place in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, while local troops are trying to regain control of the area from the Russians. Ukraine's armed forces claimed saturday that they have taken five villages north-east of the country's second-largest city.

Analysts say the Ukrainian operation so far is a successful counteroffensive, which has taken the Russians by surprise.

Kharkiv has been at the centre of intense shelling since the February invasion. The governor of the Kharkiv region said Saturday that Russian troops continue to "shoot at civilians." Oleh Synyehubov on Telegram reminded people to "not go out without having to" and told people not to ignore the sirens of the air strikes.

There is concern that Russian bombings could intensify on the eve of Victory Day on May 9, when Russia commemorates its victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.

The region has been targeted by Russian forces since February 24, when the invasion began, but a report by the War Study Institute says Ukrainian troops are now "reclaiming territory along a wide arc around the city".

The institute added that Ukrainian troops may be able to ease Russian pressure on Kharkiv "and potentially threaten to make further advances even inside the Russian border".

 


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