A forest and dozens of private houses burned down due to Russian shelling in Vovchansk

Fire in the Vovchansk community. Photo: SESU

On Tuesday, May 28, a large-scale fire occurred as a result of massive strikes on front-line settlements of the Vovchansk community of the Chuhuiv district. More than 15 hectares, including the forest, burned.

This was reported to the State Emergency Service.

It is indicated that the coniferous litter of the pine forest burned, and the fire partially spread to the crowns of trees and the private sector. The flames destroyed dozens of residential and commercial buildings.

Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire and save 64 buildings from destruction. There are no victims or injured.

Fire in the Vovchansk community. Photo: SESU

Fire in the Vovchansk community. Photo: SESU

Fire in the Vovchansk community. Photo: SESU

Russian offensive on Kharkiv Oblast

It will be recalled that the Russian troops intensified 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.

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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.

It was also reported that the pace of Russian offensive operations in the north of the Kharkiv region has slowed down. According to analysts, Russian troops prefer the creation of a «buffer zone» near the border, rather than a deeper advance into the Kharkiv region.

Currently, there are no plans to evacuate the population from Kharkiv. At the same time, people are being brought to the city from the region, from areas where hostilities are ongoing. From the beginning of the Russian offensive in the north of the Kharkiv region to May 16, 8,779 people were deported from border settlements.

It was also reported that the Russian occupiers in the northern part of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv Region are taking civilians captive, and there have been recorded cases of shootings of the civilian population.