Ukraine Officials Admit Russian Gains as Kharkiv Offensive Gains Momentum

Russia’s Defense Ministry claims that its forces took 10 more positions in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region.

Gunners from 43rd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine fire at Russian position with a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer 2C22 "Bohdana", in the Kharkiv region, amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine, on April 21, 2024. Anatolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images

Russian troops pushed deeper into the Kharkiv region this week in an effort to grind down Ukrainian forces deployed in the area, according to Oleh Syniehubov, the regional governor.

“The enemy is trying to deliberately stretch [the frontline], attacking in small groups, but in new directions,” he said in broadcast remarks on May 13.