Ukraine has strategically withdrawn its troops from several villages in the Kharkiv border region in response to persistent pressure from Russian forces.
A military spokesperson reported that the troops faced intense fire and repositioned to "more advantageous locations" in two northern areas. This phrasing has commonly been used by Ukraine throughout the two-year conflict to indicate a tactical retreat.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has called off all upcoming international trips as Ukrainian forces contend with a new cross-border offensive, which has subjected several towns and villages to heavy bombardment.
Sergiy Nykyforov, Zelensky's press secretary, announced that the president ordered the postponement of all scheduled international events, with new dates to be coordinated. A military representative explained that the decision to withdraw from the Lukyantsi and Vovchansk areas aimed to "protect the lives of our servicemen and prevent unnecessary losses."
Despite the challenging circumstances, the spokesperson emphasized that Ukrainian forces are "preventing the Russian occupiers from establishing a stronghold." Earlier, Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's head of intelligence, indicated that the front line had been stabilized. In recent days, thousands of civilians have fled westward towards Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, including many from Vovchansk, located 74 km (45 miles) away.
Oleksiy Kharkivskiy, the police chief of Vovchansk, reported intense fighting on social media, with Russian forces securing positions within the town. "The situation is extremely difficult. The enemy is taking up positions on the streets of Vovchansk," he stated.
Although the capture of Vovchansk might not be of major military significance, it would impact Ukrainian morale.
Kyiv has sent reinforcements to the Kharkiv region following Friday's incursion, which is viewed as one of Russia's most substantial ground offensives since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
During this time, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Kyiv, marking the first trip by a senior US official since Congress approved a $61 billion aid package last month.
In another development, Russia temporarily shut down two major airports in the southwestern region of Kazan following targeted drone attacks by Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have not commented on the incident.