Russia launches ground offensive into Kharkiv region
Russia has launched a ground offensive into Ukraine's northeast Kharkiv region and fighting there is ongoing, the Ukrainian defense ministry said Friday.
"At approximately 5 am (0200 GMT), the enemy attempted to break through our defense line under the cover of armoured vehicles," the ministry said. A high-ranking Ukrainian military source said Russia had advanced into Ukraine by one kilometer.
A high-ranking Ukrainian military source said Russian forces were trying to establish a "buffer zone" in Kharkiv to prevent Ukrainian forces from shelling Russian territory.
A local official also said there was "massive shelling" of the town of Vovchansk, which has a population of 3,000 people, and evacuations were underway there and in nearby areas.
Source: Agence France Presse
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