Situation in Kharkiv 'near critical' due to personnel and ammunition shortages - military intel

Ukrainian forces are facing a "near critical" situation in Kharkiv Oblast due to severe shortages in personnel and ammunition, Ukraine's Military Intelligence (HUR) chief, Kyrylo Budanov, told The New York Times.

This is aiding the advance of the Russian invaders in the area, he said.

"The situation is on the edge...” he said.

“Every hour the situation is getting closer to critical."

Russian attacks in the northeast are intended to stretch the already thin Ukrainian personnel reserves and distract them from participating in hostilities elsewhere, as well as to sow panic and confusion in the Oblast, Budanov said.

Ukrainian forces will be able to strengthen their positions and stabilize the front within the next few days, he said.

"At the moment, our task is to stabilize the frontline and then start pushing them back across the border," he said, adding that the influx of Ukrainian reserves "partially disrupted their plans."

Read also:

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Russia's offensive in Kharkiv Oblast

Russian occupation forces attempted to penetrate Ukraine's defenses near Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast at 5:00 a.m. on May 10, though Ukrainian defenders repelled the attack, Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported.

The Russians also heavily shelled border settlements.

Russian troops initiated a new wave of counteroffensives on this front, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed. He also announced the redeployment of Ukrainian forces to the Kharkiv sector.

There were ongoing battles in Strilecha, Pylna, Borysivka, Oliynykove, and Ohirtseve in Kharkiv Oblast on May 10, the General Staff reported. Ukrainian forces launched counterattacks near Lyptsi and Vovchansk.

Russian forces occupied several villages in the border areas of Kharkiv Oblast, DeepState claimed earlier.

Russian soldiers are localized in Kharkiv Oblast's "gray zone", and it is not expanding, Khortytsia National Security Service representative, Nazar Voloshyn, said on national TV.

The Russians occupied several villages in the border areas of Kharkiv Oblast, DeepState claimed on May 12.

Russia had tactical successes near Vovchansk, and the situation on the Kharkiv front remained difficult, Ukraine’s General Staff reported overnight on May 13.

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