Russian forces have captured five villages in the northeastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv, according to a report by Al Jazeera citing the Russian Ministry of Defence. The villages, located in a contested ‘grey zone’ on the border of Ukraine’s Kharkiv region and Russia, include Borysivka, Ohirtseve, Pylna, Strilecha, and Pletenivka. However, Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the claims, and fighting continues in several areas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that intense battles were ongoing in Strilecha, Pletenivka, Krasne, Morokhovets, Oliinykove, Lukyantsi, and Hatyshche.
The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, has confirmed the capture of at least one of the villages through geolocated footage. The institute described Russia’s recent gains as ‘tactically significant.’ The renewed assault has forced over 1,700 civilians residing near the fighting to flee. Russia has intensified attacks on energy infrastructure and settlements in March, which analysts believe is part of a concerted effort to shape conditions for an offensive.
On Saturday, Russia continued air raids and rocket attacks on Vovchansk, prompting the evacuation of residents by police and volunteers. At least 20 people were evacuated to safety in a nearby village, adding to the 900 evacuated the previous day. Local police reported that over 30 towns and villages in the Kharkiv region were hit by artillery, mortar, and aerial bombardments on Saturday, resulting in at least three deaths and five injuries.
Analysts believe that Russia’s push in Kharkiv aims to exploit Ukraine’s ammunition shortage and pin down Ukrainian forces in the northeast, diverting them from heavy battles in the Donetsk region where Moscow’s troops are advancing. Ukrainian officials have downplayed Russian claims about captured territory and have sent reinforcements to the Kharkiv region. Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Syniehubov stated that the situation was ‘under control’ and there was ‘no threat of a ground assault’ on the city of Kharkiv.
