High casualties for Russians in Vovchansk street battles, reveals Ukrainian Army Commander Syrskyi

Following initial minor successes in Kharkiv Oblast, Russian troops are now completely bogged down in street battles for Vovchansk and have suffered very high losses among their assault units, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on May 23.

The enemy is currently moving reserves from different fronts in an attempt to support active assault operations, but to no avail.

Read also: Ukrainian military reveals devastation in Vovchansk, Kharkiv Oblast

The Russians also suffered significant losses near Lyptsi in Kharkiv Oblast, and have now switched to active defense, and are conducting mining and fire attacks on Ukrainian troops' positions.

On the Kupyansk front, fighting continues in a forest north of the city. A difficult situation is currently observed near Kyslivka, where Russia is trying to break through the defense and reach the Oskil River.

Intense fighting continues near Ivanivske and on the outskirts of Chasiv Yar. The Russian army is trying to "cling" to the town at any cost, using the latest T-90M, BMP-3, BMD-4, which are usually destroyed by anti-tank weapons and FPV drones during advances.

The most intense and fierce fighting is taking place on the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove fronts, said General Syrskyi. The enemy is trying to break through the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defense on a narrow section of the front between Staromykhailivka and Berdychi through offensive and assault actions of the most trained units.

Read also: Ukrainian airstrike on seized hospital in Vovchansk kills dozens of Kadyrov's militants

Offensive actions are carried out both with the use of armored vehicles and on foot, and sometimes on motorcycles and buggies.

Other areas are also turbulent, but the number and intensity of hostilities there is much lower.

The key goals of General Syrskyi’s work are to study the situation on the ground, resolve problematic issues, provide additional ammunition, drones, electronic warfare and other military equipment, strengthen reserves, etc.

Most commanders and headquarters are working effectively to organize combat operations, engage the enemy, and maintain interaction with neighboring units. Of course, there are problems that require quick and drastic solutions.

"As always, I honored the best and presented awards to our servicemembers – soldiers, sergeants and junior officers who bravely defend our positions and perform the main combat work," the statement reads.

Russian advance in Kharkiv Oblast

Russian troops have heavily shelled border settlements in Kharkiv Oblast, initiating a new wave of counteroffensives near Vovchansk on May 10, followed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announcing Ukrainian forces redeployment to the Kharkiv sector in response.

Several villages in northern Kharkiv Oblast came under Russian occupation, monitoring groups reported.

Read also: Ukrainian Armed Forces hold more than half of Vovchansk, local governor says

Russian troops have expanded the area of active combat operations by almost 70 kilometers during the Kharkiv Oblast offensive to force the Ukrainian Armed Forces to call up to brigades from reserve, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on May 17.

More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from the northern frontline Kharkiv Oblast since the beginning of the new Russian offensive, regional governor, Oleh Synehubov, reported on Telegram on May 19.

Ukrainian forces were able to stabilize the situation in Vovchansk, Khortytsia Operational-Strategic Troop Grouping spokesperson, Nazar Voloshyn, said, adding that the Russian troops continue attempts to break through Ukrainian defenses near Lyptsi, Vovchansk, and Starytsia. According to the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War, as of May 23, Ukraine had recaptured some ground in Vovchansk.

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