Zelenskyy: Defence operations underway in Kharkiv Oblast, additional forces being deployed

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been briefed by Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on Saturday, 11 May, and said that Ukraine was reinforcing its positions in Kharkiv Oblast, where defence operations are currently underway.

Source: President Zelenskyy’s video address

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Today we are focusing our attention on the front, namely the situation in those areas where there is the greatest risk of Russian assault operations. Our defence operations in Kharkiv Oblast are underway in the vicinity of Strilecha, Krasne, Morokhovets, Oliinykove, Lukiantsi, Hatyshche and Pletenivka. These villages are situated near the [Ukrainian-Russian] border. Our forces have been undertaking counteroffensive measures there for two days now, defending Ukrainian territory [...]

I heard two reports from Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, one this morning and one just now. We are reinforcing our positions, especially in Kharkiv Oblast, transferring additional forces there. Our artillery forces are doing exactly what we need them to be doing."

Details: Zelenskyy also said that the situation in Donetsk Oblast continues to be particularly intense, especially on the Pokrovsk front, in the vicinity of Semenivka and Netailove, where more than 30 clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces take place everyday. "It’s extremely difficult there," Zelenskyy said about the Pokrovsk front.

Background:

• On 10 May, it was reported that Russian forces had intensified their activities in Kharkiv Oblast, with fighting taking place there.

• During a briefing with Slovakian President Zuzana Čaputová, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Russian troops had launched a new wave of offensive operations on the Kharkiv front.

• Ukraine's Defence Ministry said that reserve units had been sent to the north of Kharkiv Oblast.

• The Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group has said that the grey zone in Kharkiv Oblast was not expanding and that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were not letting Russian forces advance further into Kharkiv Oblast.

• A total of 970 civilians were evacuated from three hromadas in the north of Kharkiv Oblast on 10 and 11 May. (A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories – ed.)

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