Mass Evacuation in Kharkiv as Russian Offensive Intensifies
- "Residents say they have never seen anything like it, such shelling," said the head of the Volchansk community, Tamaz Hambarashvili. He added that a mass evacuation is currently underway, which is related to the start of the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region. Russian troops entered the Kharkiv region from the city of Volchansk. Heavy fighting is ongoing. At least 2 people have been killed and 5 have been injured.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday afternoon confirmed that Russian troops had started a counteroffensive on the border of the Kharkiv region. "Our soldiers knew about it. This morning, there was a fierce artillery battle where the Russians were stopped," said Zelensky.
Earlier, the Ministry of Defence in Kyiv reported that Russian troops tried to break through the Ukrainian defence line in the Kharkiv region on Friday. Still, their attacks were repelled, and reserve military units were sent to the location.
In the last 24 hours, Russians have conducted air raids on the Volchansk area in the Kharkiv region, where they dropped guided air bombs. Before the morning attack, on Thursday evening, they intensified fire pressure on the first line of defence with artillery support.
Mass evacuation is underway
Due to the heavy air raids, the authorities of the Volchansk community (county) announced an evacuation. "Now we are evacuating the population. Most people are leaving in their vehicles. But at the same time, together with the humanitarian centre, we are organizing the evacuation of those residents who do not have their cars. We are working with volunteers and the police to evacuate them from Volchansk and nearby settlements," said Tamaz Hambarashvili, manager of the MBA in Volchansk.
He emphasized that the evacuation is because the Russian army is currently carrying out mass shelling of the city and region. "Residents say they have never seen such shelling. That's why it is now dangerous in Volchansk. Since 3 AM, anti-aircraft missiles, artillery," noted the head of the community.
They want to penetrate 10 miles deep
According to a high-ranking Ukrainian source cited by Reuters, Russian forces have moved about 1 mile deeper into the Kharkiv region near Volchansk.
The Reuters source, who requested anonymity, stated that the Russian army intends to penetrate the region to a depth of 10 miles to create a buffer zone.
