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Ukraine gradually pushing Russian troops out of Kharkiv Oblast, Zelensky says

by Kateryna Denisova and The Kyiv Independent news desk June 18, 2024 9:54 AM 2 min read
In this screengrab taken from aerial video footage smoke rises from the Ukranian boarder city of Vovchansk, in Chuhuiv Raion, Kharkiv Oblast, which is bombarded daily by heavy artillery in Vovchansk, Ukraine on May 17, 2024. Ukraine has been evacuating civilians from around Vovchansk as Russian forces advance in the area. (Libkos/Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

The Ukrainian military is gradually pushing Russian troops out of Kharkiv Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on June 17.

Moscow launched a new offensive on May 10 in Kharkiv Oblast, where it reportedly managed to advance as far as 10 kilometers (6 miles) before Ukraine halted the advance at the first line of defense.

"Our forces are gradually pushing (Russian troops) out of Kharkiv Oblast. And I thank every warrior and every unit for this, who are clearly fulfilling their tasks, including those who are also replenishing our  (prisoner) 'exchange fund' with Russian soldiers," Zelensky said after receiving reports from the military command.

During a single month of the offensive in the northeastern oblast, Russian forces suffered around 4,000 troops killed or injured, according to the Ukrainian military.

Russia still controls a handful of villages on two separate axes in Kharkiv Oblast, one near the Lyptsi village and the other near the embattled town of Vovchansk.

Ukrainian troops repelled 10 Russian attacks in Vovchansk as of the evening of June 17, Ukraine's General Staff said. The fighting continued in four locations.

Heavy battles also continue in the Pokrovsk, Kurakhove,  Kupiansk, and Kramatorsk sectors in the east.

Russia’s move on Kharkiv has bogged down. But was it a failure?
In the first half of May, Russia opened a new front to its war against Ukraine in dramatic fashion. The two-pronged offensive on Kharkiv Oblast unfolded on the back of some of the most difficult months for Ukrainian forces, overstretched and depleted after a brutal winter and early spring campaign

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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."
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