The defense forces stopped the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region, although it is not easy there now

Ukrainian defense forces stopped the Russian offensive in Kharkiv region / Photo: Public Radio

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Defense Forces of Ukraine stopped the offensive of the Russian army in the Kharkiv region.

The head of state announced this on June 28 during a press conference with the President of Slovenia Natasha Pirc Musar.

«They talked about the situation on the battlefield. In particular, about the Kharkiv direction, where Russia tried to launch a large-scale offensive. The occupier did not succeed. Our Ukrainian forces stabilized the situation and stopped the offensive. Although it is not easy there. This is how we should continue to act,» said the president.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it is necessary to «deprive Russia of illusions that the war will give it something.»

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

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. Defense forces prevent the enemy from gaining a foothold in Vovchansk.

In the Kharkiv region, Russian troops expanded the zone of active hostilities by almost 70 kilometers and concentrated their main efforts in the direction of Strylecha-Lyptsi and captured Vovchansk and launched an offensive in the rear of Ukrainian troops.

It is noted that the Russian occupiers in the northern part of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv Region are taking civilians prisoner, there have been recorded cases of shooting civilians.

On May 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia has no plans to seize Kharkiv. And he justifies the intensification of the offensive in the Kharkiv direction with shelling of Belgorod from the side of Ukraine.

On May 19, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian troops had strengthened their positions in the Kharkiv Region and were ready to confront the enemy.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that after «insignificant successes» during the offensive on Vovchansk, the Russians were «completely bogged down in street battles for the city.»

On May 24, the representative of the Main Operational Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Ihor Prokhorenko stated that the Defense Forces of Ukraine stopped the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv Region and are conducting counteroffensive actions.