STORY: :: Zelenskiy says Ukrainian forces were ready for Russia's attack on Kharkiv
:: May 10, 2024
:: Kyiv, Ukraine
"Russia started a new wave of offensive actions in this direction (Kharkiv region). Ukraine met them there with troops: brigades and artillery. It is important to understand that they can increase and bring more forces in this direction. It is a fact. But our military and military commanders were aware of it and assessed its forces in order to meet the enemy with artillery fire."
Russian forces launched an armored ground attack near Ukraine's second city of Kharkiv in the northeast of the country and made limited gains, opening a new front in a war that has long been waged in the east and south.
Ukraine sent in reinforcements as fighting raged in the border areas of the region, the defense ministry said, adding that Russia had pounded the border town of Vovchansk with guided aerial bombs and artillery.
A senior Ukrainian military source who declined to be named said Russian forces had pushed 0.6 miles inside the Ukrainian border near Vovchansk.
The source said Russia's forces were aiming to push the Ukrainian armed forces as far back as 6.2 miles inside Ukraine as part of an effort to create a buffer zone, but that Kyiv's troops were trying to hold them back.
There was no immediate comment from Russia.
