This month, 1,000 people chose to support the Kyiv Independent. Can we count on you, too?
Become a member
Skip to content
Edit post

Defense Ministry: Russian forces attempt breakthrough in Kharkiv Oblast

by Elsa Court and The Kyiv Independent news desk May 10, 2024 1:59 PM 1 min read
Soldiers from the Ukrainian 57th Brigade are waiting on firing positions in the direction of Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine on April 12, 2024. (Wojciech Grzedzinski/Anadolu via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Russian forces attempted a breakthrough of Ukraine's line of defense in Kharkiv Oblast, the Defense Ministry reported on May 10.

Moscow recently intensified attacks against Kharkiv amid reports that Russia might plan to attack Kharkiv as part of a wider offensive in the coming months.

Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on May 8 that Russia is forming a grouping of forces north of the city of Kharkiv and that the authorities are "closely monitoring" the situation.

The Defense Ministry reported that during the day of May 9, Russian forces carried out airstrikes using guided aerial bombs in the direction of Vovchansk.

Vovchansk is situated about 50 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of Kharkiv and just 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the border with Russia.

In the evening, Russian forces "increased fire pressure on the front edge of our defense with the support of artillery," the Defense Ministry said.

At approximately 5 a.m. local time on May 10, "there was an attempt by the enemy to break through our defense line under the cover of armored vehicles."

The attack has been repulsed and "battles of varying intensity continue," the Defense Ministry said. Reserve units have been sent to the front to hold off the attack.

Syniehubov reported that the attack "does not pose a threat to Kharkiv," and Russia has gathered enough forces only sufficient for "provocations in the northern direction."

Russian forces failed to take Kharkiv in the first weeks of the full-scale invasion, despite the fact the city lies less than 30 kilometers from the Russian border.

Subscribe to newsletter
War Notes
Let’s see how far we can go?
We’ve been amazed by your support. We’ve reached our initial goal of finding 1,000 new paying members. We still have till the end of our birthday campaign — with more support, we can do even more good journalism. Over 13,000 people are standing behind us. Can we count on you, too?
Show us support this birthday month
Become a member
visa masterCard americanExpress

News Feed

4:06 PM

Politico lists Yermak, Putin among Europe's most influential people.

Politico presented on Dec. 10 its end-of-the-year list of the most influential people in Europe, with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak and Russian President Vladimir Putin among the finalists for the "dreamers" and "doers" categories, respectively.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.