Russia is advancing on several fronts in Ukraine

Russia

Russia is advancing on several fronts in Ukraine

Astrid Larsson

Published 17.58

Russia claims progress on several fronts in northeastern Ukraine.

At the same time, Ukraine has moved units to more "advantageous positions".

The situation in Kharkiv is "extremely difficult", says Zelensky after a visit to the region.

Last week, Russia launched a major ground offensive against the Charkiv region of Ukraine.

Since then, fighting has raged along Ukraine's northeastern border. Hundreds of people have been evacuated and by Thursday Russian forces had taken control of a total of at least 257 square kilometers in Kharkiv, according to an AFP estimate based on data from the US-based think tank ISW.

About ten Russian attacks have been stopped, according to the Ukrainian military's general staff. At the same time, units in Lukjantsi and Vovtyansk districts have moved to more "advantageous positions".

Russia: Controls several societies

On Wednesday, Russia's Ministry of Defense stated that the forces have penetrated "deeply" into Ukraine's defenses and that they now fully control Lukyantsi and the smaller community of Glyboke in the border area.

Russia also claims to have recaptured Robotyne in southern Ukraine, which has not been confirmed by independent sources.

Ukrainian forces are said to have simultaneously retaliated against three Russian attacks in the direction of Robotyne on Wednesday.

Building destroyed in Russian attack on May 14. Photo: Andrii Marienko / AP

Zelensky visits Kharkiv

The country's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has postponed several planned trips abroad due to the strained situation in the region. On Thursday he visited Kharkiv and described the situation as "extremely difficult".

At the same time, he says that the situation is "under control" and has made the decision to send reinforcements to Kharkiv.

- The situation in the Kharkiv sector remains complicated, but it is developing in a dynamic way, said a spokesperson for Ukraine's military on Thursday morning, according to TT.

Firefighters fight a fire in the Kharkiv region earlier in May. Photo: Andrii Marienko / AP