The defense forces partially displaced the Russians from Vovchansk

The defense forces repelled the Russian offensive in the Vovchansk region of the Kharkiv region and partially pushed the enemy forces out of the settlement.

This was announced by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

It is noted that defensive operations are currently underway in the northern and northwestern outskirts of Vovchansk. Data on enemy losses are being clarified.

Since the beginning of the day, the Russians have been concentrating their greatest efforts on the Kupyan and Pokrovsky directions, the General Staff noted. Ukrainian troops are on the defensive, inflicting losses on the enemy in manpower and equipment, in some places they are conducting counter-offensive actions.

In the Kupian direction, fighting took place in the districts of Stelmakhivka, Synkivka, Berestove, Novoiehorivka, Pischane, and Miasozharivka. In total, 18 enemy attacks were repelled, our soldiers restrained the onslaught of invaders.

Most of the enemy attacks currently took place in the Pokrovske direction. Here, Ukrainian soldiers repelled 19 Russian assaults. The aggressor concentrated his main efforts in the area of Novooleksandrivka, where he also carried out an airstrike.

Earlier, the American Institute for the Study of War reported that the Russian Federation had slowed down its offensive in Kharkiv Oblast and was creating a buffer zone there.

Russian offensive on Kharkiv Oblast

We will remind you that Russian troops have increased shelling in the northern direction of the Kharkiv region. First of all, the enemy attacks the city of Vovchansk.

Reserve units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been sent to strengthen the defense in the Vovchansk direction. The military continues to hold back the enemy's advance.

Subsequently, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, confirmed that the Russian army had launched a counteroffensive in the Kharkiv direction. He noted that the military command knew about the enemy's plans for a new offensive and calculated the forces to respond to the attack.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also reported on the strengthening of positions in the Kharkiv region, where defensive operations continue.

On May 13, the head of the Kharkiv regional state administration, Oleh Syniehubov, noted that the Russian army shelled more than 30 settlements in the Kharkiv region. Seven people were injured.