On Thursday, May 16, 2024, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a visit to Kharkiv as Russian forces push deeper into the northeastern region.
He met with senior military officials in the city of Kharkiv.
Zelenskyy received a detailed report from the Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and other Commanders on the operational situation, the tasks and needs of each brigade and unit involved, including those in the Kharkiv region near Vovchansk and Lyptsi.
During the Staff meeting, the participants analyzed in detail the prospects for the development of the combat situation, the threats of the coming days and weeks, and Ukraine’s capabilities to counter Russia’s offensive plans.
The Ukrainian leader described an “extremely difficult” outlook for Kyiv’s troops on the ground, where “we are strengthening our units.”
He also met with the senior officials from other border and frontline regions, hearing reports on the current situation, the main risks. and the key needs.
He then gave relevant instructions.
In addition, Zelenskyy visited the hospital in Kharkiv where the defenders, who were wounded during the offensive of the Russian occupiers in the Kharkiv region, are being treated.
He was informed that the surgical groups and medical brigades of the institution, which provide specialized assistance to the military round-the-clock, have been reinforced. The number of vehicles for the evacuation of the seriously wounded has also been increased.
Zelenskyy had a conversation with the warriors and thanked them for defending Ukraine.
The President awarded the servicemen with the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, III class, the Orders “For Courage”, III class, and the Medals “For Military Service to Ukraine.”
“Thank you for your service and bravery. Get well soon. This is the most important thing. I wish you victory,” he said.
The Head of State also awarded military medics with the Orders of Danylo Halytskyi.
“Thank you for serving Ukraine, for treating our soldiers. You are now facing a difficult challenge while defending our Kharkiv region. I am grateful that you are doing your best to bring the warriors back to life.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Efforts to bolster Ukrainian forces were concentrated in Lyptsi and Vovchansk; a town located about 60 km (37 miles) northeast of Kharkiv city and the site of some of the most intense battles near the border.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Nazar Voloshyn warned combat in the Kharkiv direction “remains complicated and is changing dynamically.”
“Our forces are preventing the occupiers from gaining a foothold in certain areas in the northern Kharkiv region,” Voloshyn said in a television interview.
“The enemy’s advance in certain settlements has been stopped. However, the enemy is trying to ensure conditions for further advancement in order to take advantageous positions,” Voloshyn added.
Russian forces have taken control of more than nine villages close to the border since they launched a surprise attack on May 10.
Minister Claims Russians Refusing To Allow Civilians To Leave Vovchansk
According to Ukraine’s Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko, the Russian military is not allowing civilians to evacuate from the town of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region.
Ihor Klymenko said that National Police investigators in the region have launched a criminal investigation “into the violation of the rules and customs of war.”
Klymenko said the police evacuation teams continue to work in Vovchansk “despite intense fighting and are trying to ensure further evacuation of people.”
Earlier on Thursday, Oleksii Kharkivskyi, the chief patrol officer of the Vovchansk Police Department, posted on Facebook that evacuations are still underway and that “staying in the town is dangerous.”
The Head of the Kharkiv regional military administration, Oleh Syniehubov, also said that evacuations continue but claimed Russian forces have used cluster munitions to attack a village in the Vovchansk area, injuring five people.
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