Stand behind Ukrainian independent journalism when it’s needed most. Help us reach 20,000 members.

Skip to content
Edit post

Official: Russia's Kharkiv Oblast operations resemble 'simulation of large-scale attack'

by Martin Fornusek May 10, 2024 5:39 PM 2 min read
Illustrative purposes only: Ukrainian soldiers of the 41st brigade stand near the front line outside of Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, on Jan. 23, 2024 (Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Russia's recently launched operations in Kharkiv Oblast look like a simulation of a large-scale attack with the use of limited resources or reconnaissance-in-force, a senior Ukrainian official said on May 10.

"The situation is under the control of the defense forces," Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation department at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said on Telegram.

Early on May 10, Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported that Russian forces launched an attempt to break through in Kharkiv Oblast. President Volodymyr Zelensky later confirmed that Russia was carrying out new offensive operations in the area.

"At the moment, it looks exactly like a simulation of a large-scale attack by the enemy with the use of limited forces and means, like reconnaissance-in-force," Kovalenko said.

Subscribe to newsletter
War Notes

Kovalenko warned that the military operation is accompanied by a Russian information campaign that claims kilometers-deep breakthroughs. This is designed to sow panic in the information vacuum, he said.

"In some places, the situation is complicated, but under the control of our forces," Kovalenko noted.

Ukrainska Pravda reported that, according to undisclosed military sources, Russian forces captured the border villages of Strilecha, Krasne, Pylne, and Borysivka as they attempt to push toward Vovchansk.

Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said instead that border settlements are in a "grey zone" and hostilities are ongoing there but that no ground was lost at the moment.

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

Independent journalism needs a community —
not a paywall.

We’re working hard to show the world the truth of Russia’s brutal war — and we’re keeping it free for everyone, because reliable information should be available to all.

Our goal: reach 20,000 members to prove independent journalism can survive without paywalls, billionaires, or compromise. Will you help us do it?

Can we reach 20,000 members?

News Feed

11:51 PM

Trump 'very surprised, disappointed' at Russian attacks on Ukraine amid peace talks.

"I've gotten to see things I was very surprised at. Rockets being shot into cities like Kyiv during a negotiation that was maybe very close to ending," Trump said during a news conference in the Oval Office. "All of a sudden rockets got shot into a couple of cities and people died. I saw thing I was surprised at and I don't like being surprised, so I'm very disappointed in that way."
5:10 PM

All territory will revert to Ukraine, predicts US diplomat.

The Kyiv Independent’s Chris York sits down with Michael Carpenter, former U.S. Ambassador to OSCE and senior director for Europe at the National Security Council, to discuss the current lagging U.S. military support for Ukraine amid the ongoing ceasefire talks with Russia. Carpenter also offers his predictions for the future of Ukraine’s occupied territories.
10:10 AM

Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 7, injure 39 over past day.

Ukrainian forces downed 26 out of the 90 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Thirty drones were intercepted by electronic warfare or disappeared from radars without causing any damage, according to the statement.
9:21 AM

NATO expansion 'fair' concern for Putin, Kellogg says.

"And that's one of the issues Russia will bring up... They're also talking about Georgia, they're talking about Moldova, they're talking — obviously — about Ukraine. And we're saying, 'Okay, let's address this comprehensively,'" U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Keith Kellogg said.
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.