2024 Kharkiv offensive

2024 Kharkiv offensive
Part of the eastern Ukraine campaign of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
The frontline on 29 July 2024 (details)
Date 10 May 2024 (2024-05-10) – present (3 months, 1 week and 3 days) Location Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts Status Ongoing
Belligerents
Russia	Ukraine
Units involved
Order of battle	Order of battle
Strength
2,000 – 8,000 (initial force per Ukraine) 72,000-75,000 (Northern Group of Forces total strength by August 7 per ISW)	Unknown
Casualties and losses
10,500 civilians evacuated

On 10 May 2024, the Russian Armed Forces began an offensive operation in Ukraine's Kharkiv Oblast, shelling and attempting to breach the defenses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the direction of Vovchansk and Kharkiv. The Guardian reported that the offensive has led to Russia's biggest territorial gains in 18 months. By early June the Russian offensive stalled, with The Guardian reporting that the situation on the frontline had been "stabilized." Ukrainian forces then began a concerted counterattack, which liberated its first settlement on 19 June.

The Russian armed forces have also launched raids into the Sumy Oblast, the Chernigov Oblast, and other segments of the Kharkiv Oblast, in an effort to draw Ukrainian resources away from the main offensive in Kharkiv.

Background

Ukrainian forces dismantling Russian pro-annexation propaganda posters in Vovchansk during the city's liberation in the 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive

Territory formerly occupied by Russia (right) shown with  , with the flag of the Russian occupied Kharkiv Oblast (left)

Further information: Battle of Kharkiv (2022), 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive, and Russian occupation of Kharkiv Oblast

On February 24, 2022, the opening day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine 20,000 Russian soldiers commenced an offensive operation south from Belgorod Oblast to capture Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv. Russian forces quickly captured Vovchansk, a city of almost 17,000 5km from the border, before continuing south to Balakliia, Izium, and Shevchenkove in an effort to attack Kharkiv from the north and east. For three days Kharkiv was the site of street fighting until Russian forces withdrew on February 28 under threat of being encircled in the city. Following the failure of Russian forces to storm Kharkiv, they instead established martial law and occupied northern and eastern Kharkiv oblast, establishing a limited collaborator government based out of Kupiansk led by Vitaly Ganchev.

However, amidst efforts for Russia to legitimize their territorial gains by holding internationally unrecognized and fraudulent referendums and acts of annexation in their occupied territory Ukraine launched a major counteroffensive to liberate Russian held Kharkiv. Following a breakthrough of Russian defensive lines, Ukrainian armor and mechanized units where able to quickly bypass and encircle Russian positions, leading to the siege of Lyman and the evacuation of the pro-Russian government from Kupiansk. The pro-Russian government would then attempt to hold out in Vovchansk acting as the center of the Russian administration from September 8 to 11 until Vovchansk too would be evacuated due to the rapid Ukrainian advance.

Ukraine would re-establish control over most of Kharkiv, except for a small portion in the east between the border with Luhansk Oblast and the Oskil river. Pro-Ukrainian militias, the Russian Volunteer Corps and Freedom of Russia Legion would preform cross-border raids into Kursk and Belgorod in in 2023 and again later in 2024. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had also repeatedly threatened to attack Kharkiv Oblast and establish a buffer zone to protect Russia's border. During the first months of 2024, reports appeared that the Russian army was rebuilding its forces in the north to launch a new offensive in the direction of Kharkiv later that year. On 8 May 2024, the governor of Kharkiv Oblast, Oleh Syniehubov, reported a large gathering of Russian forces north of the region. The secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksandr Lytvynenko, subsequently said that over 50,000 Russian soldiers had been deployed to the border.

Offensive

Timeline

See also: Territorial control during the Russo-Ukrainian War § 2024 Kharkiv offensive

10 May

Firefighters fighting a blaze from a Russian S-400 strike on Kharkiv city, 10 May 2024

According to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Russian forces shelled positions with guided bombs in the direction of Vovchansk during the day and added artillery fire at night. An attempt to break through the front line was recorded at 5:00 am on 10 May. Up to 4–5 Russian infantry battalions from a newly created force crossed the state border, reportedly capturing the villages of Krasne, Borysivka, Strilecha, and Pylna. Ukraine's armed forces urged residents of northern Kharkiv Oblast to evacuate. The secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksandr Lytvynenko, subsequently said that over 30,000 Russian soldiers were involved in the offensive. Communication in the Ukrainian military was temporarily disrupted due to Starlink devices having been knocked out.

According to Ukrainian military journalist Yuri Butusov, the captured border area had been a "gray zone" behind the Ukrainian defensive line with no Ukrainian military presence, with the exception of Strilecha. Syniehubov also referred to the affected villages as a "gray zone", claiming that "the Ukrainian armed forces have not lost a single meter". According to DeepStateMap.Live analysts, citing confidential sources, Russian forces had occupied the village of Pylna several days before 10 May, but poor communication within the Ukrainian military had prevented any action from being taken.

Later in the afternoon, reserve units were sent to Kharkiv Oblast to hold the front line, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that artillery had thus far been able to repel the Russian offensive in Kharkiv Oblast and that Russia may pull more reserves to support the offensive but that Ukraine's armed forces were ready to resist them.

Later that day a senior Ukrainian commander said that Russian forces had pushed Ukrainian forces back by one kilometer from the Russian-Ukrainian border and were aiming to advance 10 kilometers into Ukraine. The border city of Vovchansk was subjected to "massive shelling" and residents were evacuated.

Fighting was also reported in the villages of Pletenivka, Hatyshche, Hoptivka, Morokhovets, Oliinykove and Ohirtseve. Russian bloggers claimed that Pletenivka, Hatyshche, Ohirtseve and Zelene had come under Russian control, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which was unable to verify the claims. Ukraine's 42nd Mechanized Brigade published footage of its "Perun" unit destroying four Russian BMP infantry fighting vehicles in the area of Pylna using combat drones, claiming to have inflicted several casualties.

A member of the Ukrainian partisan movement Atesh allegedly serving in the Russian military claimed that parts of his unit, a motorised rifle battalion of the 44th Army Corps, refused to participate in the assault on Kharkiv Oblast, owing to the failure of previous sabotage and reconnaissance and the strength of Ukrainian fortifications.

By 10 May, Russian forces, according to the ISW, had seized around "35 square miles of territory", although Ukrainian forces claimed to have pushed Russian forces back.

11 May

The Ukrainians claimed to have destroyed 20 Russian units of armored equipment during the previous day's offensive. Nazar Voloshyn, spokesman of Ukraine's Khortytsia operational-strategic group, claimed that the Russians were contained in the "gray zone" and that the offensive had effectively been repelled.

According to the ISW, geolocated footage published on 11 May indicated that Morokhovets, Oliinykove and Ohirtseve had come under Russian control. Russian military bloggers claimed that Russian forces had also captured the villages of Hoptivka, Kudiivka and Tykhe, and were trying to advance into Vovchansk, though the think tank said it had not observed evidence to verify these claims. The Russian defence ministry claimed in a briefing that its forces had taken five villages: Strilecha, Pylna, Borysivka, Ohirtseve and Pletenivka.

12 May

The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that its forces had captured the villages of Hatyshche, Krasne, Morokhovets and Oliinykove.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote on Telegram that the situation in Kharkiv Oblast had "significantly worsened". Amid claims by Russian and Ukrainian sources of combat within Vovchansk, ISW assessed that Hatyshche, Pletenivka and Tykhe had come under Russian control.

13 May

Ukrainian outlets Rubryka and Ukrainska Pravda reported that the DeepState map indicated that Russian forces had taken control over the village of Zelene, while the village of Lukiantsi was almost wholly occupied.

Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces partially withdrew from the village of Ternova following clashes nearby however the status of the village is currently unknown.

Ukrainian forces claimed to have killed over 100 Russian soldiers in the last 24 hours in northern Kharkiv Oblast. Some five Russian battalions were involved in Vovchansk. Ukrainian officials acknowledged that Russian forces had made "tactical gains" and that Ukrainian forces appeared to be avoiding direct engagements with Russian forces. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Facebook that its forces were "conducting defensive operations, inflicting fire damage on the enemy, widely using unmanned systems for reconnaissance and launching pinpoint strikes to inflict maximum damage" adding that reserves were being deployed to "stabilize the situation."

14 May

DeepState reported that the village of Zelene was still under Ukrainian control despite heavy fighting in the area.

Russian sources claimed that Russian forces have seized the entirety of Lukiantsi, however, this was not independently confirmed. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces "repositioned" near Lukiantsi to save the lives of Ukrainian personnel. The Institute for the Study of War called this a "tacit acknowledgment of Russian advances into the settlement." Russian forces also made gains in Vovchansk and advanced into central Buhruvatka with the Russian ministry of defense claiming that they had fully secured the village, although, geolocated footage still reported some fighting in its southern outskirts. The ISW also reported that Ukrainian Chief of the General Staff Major General Anatoliy Barhylevych suggested that Russian forces have lost up to 1,740 soldiers in this direction over just the past day, "which would be a very high rate of losses".

15 May

Russian forces made advances east of Hlyboke and along the east bank of the Travianske Reservoir. Russian milbloggers claimed Russian forces captured Starytsia, Hlyboke and Lukiantsi, although this was not confirmed by either Ukraine nor the Russian ministry of defense. Lyptsi Village Military Administration Head Serhiy Kryvetchenko stated Russian forces have entered Lukiantsi while the Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repelled Russian assaults between Borysivka and Neskuchne. Russian forces also made advances near Vovchansk as Vovchansk City Military Administration Head Tamaz Gambarashvili stated that small arms battles took place in the northern outskirts, while Russian sources reported on Russian assaults near Izbitske and Buhruvatka.

16 May

President Zelenskyy arrived in Kharkiv to meet with the top brass of the Ukrainian military and said that the situation in Kharkiv is "very difficult but under control".

Ukrainian soldiers, fighting near Kharkiv, reported that they had "never seen anything close to the number of Lancets (drones) flying" in comparison to earlier battles. However Ukrainian soldiers reported that they did not have to ration shells as in earlier battles. Russian forces reduced the number of armoured vehicles assaults allegedly due to losses, while using smaller groups of infantry, 5-20, in assaults. With the ISW writing: the "tempo of Russian offensive operations in the area continues to decrease".

Russian forces took control of Lukiantsi and continued operations towards Lyptsi, Hlyboke, and Pylna. Russian forces also advanced within northern Vovchansk and made marginal gains in northeastern Starytsia while continuing offensive operations near Starytsia and Pletenivka.

17 May

Russian president Vladimir Putin made for the first time statements regarding the new offensive, claiming Russia's current plan is the creation of a "buffer zone" in order to stop Ukrainian shelling of Belgorod and to protect the border areas. According to him, there are no plans to capture the city of Kharkiv as of now.

Zelenskyy acknowledged that Russian forces had advanced by as much as ten kilometers into Kharkiv Oblast, but claimed that they were being held back by primary Ukrainian defensive lines.

Two people were killed and 25 were wounded in a Russian airstrike in Kharkiv.

Russian forces continued offensive operations near Lyptsi while Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced south of Hlyboke and are fighting on the outskirts of Lyptsi. Other Russian sources claimed that Russia was operating near Lukiantsi, Zelene, Vovchansk and Tykhe. A Ukrainian sergeant operating near Vovchansk told the Wall Street Journal that Russian forces control the northern half of Vovchansk, although this was not independently verified.

18 May

Russia claimed to have taken control of the village of Starytsia. The Institute for the Study of War denied this, reporting that it was only confirmed Russian forces where operating in the northeastern outskirts of the settlement, and did not have control over the whole settlement.

Russian forces continued offensive operations near Lyptsi, Lukiantsi, and Hlyboke. Russian forces also continued offensive operations near Zelene and near and within Vovchansk. The Russian ministry of defense again claimed that the Russian army had captured Zybyne, which the ISW also reported as being unconfirmed. The Russian ministry of defense also claimed to have repelled Ukrainian counterattacks near Tykhe and that they were advancing near Buhruvatka.

19 May

Russian forces continued offensive operations near Lyptsi, Hlyboke and Zelene with no change to the front-line. Russian forces made advances in Vovchansk, namely in the northeast reportedly reaching the Vovcha River. Russian milbloggers gave conflicting reports, either claiming that Russian forces seized Starytsia and Buhruvatka, or that there where ongoing assaults there, along with Prylipka and Tykhe.

20 May

Both Russian and Ukrainian sources reported on Russian assaults on Lyptsi, Zelene, and Lukiantsi, with no confirmed change in the front-line situation. Russian forces also made marginal gains in central Vovchansk, with Russian milbloggers reporting on positional battles in Starytsia and Buhruvatka, while Russian armor was active between Ohirtseve and Buhruvatka.

21 May

Russian milbloggers reported assaults near Lyptsi and Starytsia, and that a force had crossed the Vovcha River, although this was disputed, with the Institute for the Study of War assessing that Russia probably maintained a small infantry foothold across the river, but with no vehicles or artillery. The Russian Ministry of Defense also claimed that Russian forces repelled Ukrainian counterattacks in Vovchansk and near Starytsia.

22 May

Russian forces continued offensive operations near Lyptsi, while Russian sources reported offensive actions near Zelene, Tykhe, Volokhivka, Chaikhivka, Okhrimivka, Buhruvatka, and Mala Vovcha, as well as continued street fighting in Vovchansk. Despite this there was no change to the front-line situation.

23 May

The Kyiv Independent wrote that the offensive was "stretching Ukrainian defenses thin".

The Ukrainians published photos of 28 Russian soldiers reportedly captured in the Kharkiv area, making up two-thirds their captured between 15 and 23 May.

Russian forces attacked the cities of Kharkiv, Liubotyn and Zolochiv with around 15 S-300 missiles, killing seven people and injuring over a dozen others.

Ukrainian forces recaptured "marginal territory" southeast of Lukiantsi while Russian sources reported that Ukraine launched counter-attacks on Lyptsi and Hlyboke. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Russian forces switched to an "active defense" in the Lyptsi direction, and were no longer performing offensive actions there. Syrskyi also stated that Russian forces where now "bogged down" in street fighting in Vovchansk, which was reflected by Russian milbloggers claims that fighting there had become "positional." Russian forces also continued ground attacks near Starytsia.

24 May

Despite Russian assaults in the Lyptsi direction near Hlyboke and on the eastern side of the Travianske Reservoir there was no change in the front line, and the Ukrainian general staff reported that they have "halted" the Russian advance and "stabilized" the situation along the border. Russian milbloggers reflected this sentiment, calling the front-line "stagnate" and reported on a failed effort by Russian forces to cross the Vovcha River.

25 May

The Epicentr K Hypermarket in Kharkiv was struck, allegedly per local officials, by two Russian glide bombs, killing at least 16 and wounding 43 others. A strike on a residential area reportedly wounded at least 20 as well.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Russian losses were 8 times higher than Ukraine's during the Kharkiv Offensive.

Zelenskyy also reported that Ukrainian artillery had restored "combat control" over an unspecified section of the Kharkiv front while the Ukrainian General Staff reported that they were pushing Russian forces back across the front-line. A Russian assault in the Strilecha-Hlyboke direction was reported to be thwarted by a local officer. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that Russian forces repelled Ukrainian counterattacks near Hlyboke while Russian milbloggers reported that Russian forces where "struggling" to advance. Russian forces also continued assaults near Starytsia, Vovchansk, and Tykhe while milbloggers claimed Russian forces destroyed a bridge over the Vovcha River near Tykhe to prevent Ukrainian counterattacks.

26 May

Ukrainian forces regained positions near Lyptsi with the Khortytsia Group of Forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn reporting that Ukrainian forces had pushed Russian forces out of positions in the direction of Strilecha-Hlyboke, and stopped a Russian offensive action along the Hlyboke-Lyptsi road. Additionally, fighting continued near Hlyboke, Lukiantsi, Neskuchne, Starytsia and within Vovchansk.

27 May

The State Bureau of Investigation revealed that they were investigating why the command of the 125th Territorial Defense Brigade, 415th Separate Rifle Battalion, 23rd Mechanized Brigade, 172nd Separate Rifle Battalion, the 120th Brigade of Territorial Defense Forces and other units failed to properly organize the defense of positions on the border of Kharkiv Oblast which led to a Russian breakthrough.

Ukrainian forces made marginal advances in the Lyptsi direction amid continued Russian attacks. The Russian ministry of defense claimed that Russian forces repelled a Ukrainian counterattack near Hlyboke. Despite offensive actions by both Russia and Ukraine there was no change to the frontline in Vovchansk.

28 May

Ukrainian forces recaptured a windbreak overlooking Lukiantsi, while clashes with Russian forces reportedly continued in Lyptsi and Vovchansk. Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces had pushed some 200 meters or so towards the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant, while the Ukrainian general staff reported continued fighting southwest of Vovchansk near Starytsia and northeast of Vovchansk near Tykhe. Voloshyn reported that the Russian military had bombed Ukrainian positions near Vovchansk with TOS-2 thermobaric artillery systems.

29 May

Russian sources claimed that, using motorcycles and ATVs, Russia made marginal gains towards Lyptsi, Hlyboke, Vovchansk, Synelnykove, and Starytsia. Kostyantyn Mashovets, a Ukrainian military observer, reported that the Russian 18th Motor Rifle Division had switched to an "active defense" while Russian sources claimed that the 25th and 138th motorized rifle brigades, 2nd Motorized Rifle Division, and 47th Tank Division have begun to "conslidate" their positions and engage in defensive efforts.

30 May

Russian forces continued to perform assaults near Lyptsi with no confirmed changes to the frontline. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces regained positions within Vovchansk despite continued Russian assaults there. Russian Kharkiv Oblast occupation head Vitaly Ganchev claimed that Russian forces had "about half" of Vovchansk under their control. Russian forces also abandoned their plans to cross the Vovcha River, with the Russian airforce destroying a bridge along Soborna Street which Russian ground forces had been pushing towards for weeks. Russian milbloggers also noted the lack of Russian motorized, mechanized and armor near Vovchansk, reporting that Russian forces travel on foot, with motorcycles or ATVs.

31 May

Russian forces made marginal gains towards Lyptsi and in Vovchansk but made no progress towards Starytsia. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov claimed that the Russian army had forced Ukrainian forces to retreat 8 km from the Russian border. Mashovets, meanwhile, claimed that Russian forces where preparing for further efforts in Vovchansk.

1 June

Fighting continued near Lyptsi and between Hlyboke and Lukiantsi although there was no change in the front-line. A Ukrainian commander reported that Russian forces where concentrating for an attack on Hlyboke. Meanwhile, Russian milbloggers described the offensive as "stalled" and report that it had done so because Russian forces failed to control the battlefield with artillery and air support, attributing Ukraine's defense primarily to the use of drones. Fighting continued in the Vovchansk direction but there was also no change. The Russian MoD reported that Ukraine was counterattacking near Vovchansk and Starytsia. Ukrainian officials, including the head of the Kharkiv military-civil administration, Oleh Synehubov, stated that Ukraine was anticipating a Russian offensive towards Zolochiv.

2 June

Ukrainian forces struck Russian military targets in Belgorod and Kursk oblasts including a column of unspecified Russian vehicles in Sudzha. Ukrainian sources stated that the column consisted of 18 Russian vehicles, additionally, Russian governmental and milblogger sources reported that a Ukrainian MLRS strike on Shebekino killed the Deputy Head of Korochansky Raion, Igor Nechiporenko, and injured several other local administrators. Russian forces made marginal advances southwest of Vovchansk towards Starytsia. Additionally Russian sources where claiming Ukraine was performing a counterattack in northern and central Vovchansk and in the forest areas between Hlyboke and Lukiantsi.

Both Russian and Ukrainian sources reported that both sides where transferring personnel to the Sumy-Kursk border.

3 June

Geolocated footage showed a Russian advance in the village of Hlyboke and towards Lyptsi. Ukrainian forces regained positions in central Vovchansk. Kostyantyn Mashovets sardonically noted that the pace of the Ukrainian counterattacks had not changed since the start of the offensive, and that Russian milbloggers where reporting major Ukrainian offensive efforts in an attempt to make the Russian army look better. Ukrainian "Kharkiv" Group of Forces Spokesmen Yuryi Povkh also noted a general decrease in Russian offensive efforts to "no more than a few motorized rifle units."

4 June

Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Lyptsi direction, however, there was no change to the front-line. Russian forces advanced near Vovchansk towards Starytsia. Ukrainian Khortytsia Group of Forces Spokesmen Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn reported that Ukraine was in control of 70% of Vovchansk. Russian milbloggers meanwhile claimed that Russian forces where destroying bridges across the Vovcha River in an effort to stall Ukrainian forces.

5 June

Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Lyptsi direction, however, there was no change to the front-line. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repelled Russian assaults near Lyptsi while Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi stated Russian forces are concentrating their main efforts north of Kharkiv City on Lyptsi and Hlyboke. Fighting continued near and within Vovchansk with no change to the front-line outside the city. Vovchansk City Military Administration Head Tamaz Gambarashvili reported that Ukrainian forces recaptured unspecified positions within the city and fully control the central portion of the city.

The Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) released a wiretapped conversation of Russian forces in Grayvoron, Belgorod Oblast, about preparations for a Russian assault on another portion of the border, likely Zolochiv.

6 June

The Ukrainian General Staff reported that for the first time since the offensive started there was no Russian offensive action towards Lyptsi. Meanwhile, Russian forces advanced in Starytsia near Vovchansk.

7 June

The Ukrainian General Staff noted another lack of action towards Lyptsi, assessing that Russian forces where regrouping. Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces had performed a limited counterattack near Lyptsi. Yuriy Povkh also claimed that 25 Russian personnel abandoned their post in the village. Fighting continued in Vovchansk with no change to the front-line, but that Russian forces attempted to assault Tykhe.

8 June

Ukrainian forces conducted tactical counterattacks in Vovchansk while Voloshyn reported that Ukraine controlled "most" of Vovchansk. There where disputed reports of a Russian capture of Hlyboke, with some Russian milbloggers saying the village was sized, while other say it was seized and then Ukraine performed a counter-attack to regain the southern portion. Another Russian source claimed that Ukrainian forces likely pushed Russian forces from the dacha area north of Lyptsi and southwest of Hlyboke.

9 June

Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of Chechnya, stated that the Russians captured the village of Ryzhivka in the Sumy Oblast of Ukraine, located near the border, next to the Russian settlement of Tyotkino. The Ukrainian State Border Guard Service denied that the village was under Chechen control. The ISW assessed that the incursions "have not established a significant or enduring presence in this area." Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Hylboke and in Vovchansk while Russian milbloggers claimed a Russian advance near Lyptsi.

A Ukrainian fixed-wing crewed aircraft struck a Russian command post in Belgorod Oblast, marking the first time a crewed Ukrainian airplane has performed a strike on Russian territory.

10 June

Yuri Zarko, head of the Bilopillia hromada, denied that there were Russian troops in Ryzhivka. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also denied that Russian forces had captured Ryzhivka. The ISW assessed that that Chechen advance only reached 730 meters inside Ukraine before returning to Kursk. Some Russian milbloggers also denied that Ryzhivka was captured, and also noted that it was interconnected with the Russian village of Tetkino, with residents of the two villages freely traveling between the two before the war.

Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Hlyboke and in Vovchansk, with the Ukrainian general staff reporting to have repulsed a Russian assault on Lyptsi, Hlyboke, and Vovchansk.

11 June

Ukrainian forces regained positions in the Lyptsi direction, while heavy fighting was reported in Vovchansk near the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant, and near Tykhe and Vovchanski Khutory. Russian milbloggers also claimed that Ukrainian forces regained positions near Hlyboke.

12 June

Ukrainian State Border Guard Service Spokesmen Andriy Demchenko stated that there was "almost no" activity of Russian forces operating in the Sumy direction. Meanwhile, Russian forces marginally advanced in Vovchansk and continued ground assaults near Tykhe Lyptsi, and Hlyboke. Russian milbloggers also claimed Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Hlyboke.

13 June

Ukrainian forces regained a windbreak just southeast of Hlyboke amidst reports from Russian milbloggers of a Ukrainian counterattack there. Several Russian sources also reported Ukrainian counterattacks in and around Vovchansk as both Russian and Ukrainian sources report that Russia has committed its reserve forces to the front, namely the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces conducted unsuccessful ground attacks near Hlyboke, Vovchansk, and Tykhe.

14 June

Russian forces continued offensive operations, however, there was no change to the front-line. Fighting continued near Lyptsi, Hlyboke and within Vovchansk. Russian President Vladimir Putin again stated that the goal of the operation was not the control of territory, rather the establishment of a demilitarized "security zone" along the border.

15 June

Ukrainian and western media circulated claims that 400 Russian soldiers were encircled in Vovchansk, however, most sources pointed back to a since deleted post by a Russian milblogger, and the ISW was unable to verify the claims. However, The Telegraph released geolocated footage showing at least 30 Russian personnel surrendering near the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant. Russian forces meanwhile continued offensive actions near Lyptsi, Hlyboke, Vovchansk and Tykhe with no confirmed changes to the front-line.

16 June

Russian forces continued offensive actions near Hlyboke, Vovchansk, and Tykhe while Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Hlyboke and within Vovchansk. Heavy fighting centered around the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant with combat there being room to room, hallway to hallway. Kharkiv Group of Forces Spokesmen Yuriy Povkh claimed that Russian forces where being rotated from the front due to becoming combat-ineffective due to high losses, including the 25th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade and 83rd Guards Air Assault Brigade.

17 June

Russian forces reported repelling a Ukrainian counterattack on Hlyboke while other Ukrainian counterattacks where reported in Tykhe. Russian forces meanwhile performed offensive actions near Lyptsi and near central Vovchansk and Vovchanski Khutory.

18 June

Ukrainian forces recaptured positions near Lyptsi while a deputy commander of a Ukrainian drone battalion reported gains in and near Hlyboke. Fighting also continued near Zelene and Neskuchne and within Vovchansk. Due to the forces confirmed fighting in the city via drone footage, the ISW has assessed that Russia has withdrawn troops from the Kherson and Dontesk fronts to reinforce the Kharkiv front.

19 June

Ukrainian forces recaptured the whole of Tykhe, while Russian milbloggers reported the recapture actually occurred back on the 17th and 18th. Geolocated footage also confirmed Ukrainian forces also recently recaptured areas in southern and central Starytsia. Colonel Yuriy Povkh also reported to have "blocked" a few dozen Russian troops in a position within Vovchansk amid reports that upwards of 200 Russian troops were encircled near the aggregate plant.

20 June

Ukrainian forces advanced northeast of Vovchansk with Russia no longer holding any positions within the central part of the settlement. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks near Tykhe to recapture the settlement following its liberation by Ukraine. Meanwhile Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces repelled Ukrainian counterattacks in the Lyptsi direction, namely near Hlyboke.

21 June

Russian forces continued offensive operations but there was no change to the front-line. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces conducted ground attacks near Vovchansk and Tykhe as well as launching 17 guided glide bombs including, reportedly, a FAB-3000. Russian milbloggers, however, claimed that Russian forces had captured the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant.

22 June

Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Hlyboke while Russian milbloggers again claimed that Russian forces captured the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant.

23 June

Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Hlyboke and within Vovchansk. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces struck Lyptsi with 23 glide bombs. Nazar Voloshyn also claimed that Russia was withdrawing the 11th Tank Regiment, 83rd Airborne Brigade and the 25th Motorized Rifle Brigade, due to suffering too many casualties to be combat effective.

24 June

Ukrainian forces counterattacked and regained some tactical positions in northeastern Vovchansk. Russian milbloggers reported that Ukraine counterattacked unsuccessfully near Hlyboke and in the direction of Lyptsi.

25 June

Ukrainian forces advanced within Vovchansk and fighting continued near Lyptsi, Hlyboke, and Tykhe. Russia dropped its fifth confirmed FAB-3000 on Ukrainian positions in Vovchansk.

Yuriy Povkh reported that due to losses Russia was merging various units into a revived 51st Army centering around the 9th Motorized Rifle Brigade as well as elements of the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade.

26 June

Fighting continued in northern Kharkiv Oblast, however, there was no change to the front-line. Russian and Ukrainian forces reported fighting in and around Vovchansk, east of Vovchansk near Tykhe, and near Hlyboke. The Ukrainian General Staff also noted that Russian forces launched 11 guided glide bombs at Lyptsi.

27 June

A Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group conducted a cross-border raid on Zolochiv that Ukraine claimed it repelled. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian assault near Sotnytskyi Kozachok. Both Russian and Ukrainian sources, including Ukrainian president Zelenskyy, concluded from the raid that Russia is preparing for a larger offensive action in the area. Fighting also continued near Lyptsi and Hlyboke and within Vovchansk where Ukrainian forces regained some positions.

28 June

Ukrainian forces recaptured positions within central Vovchansk. A Ukrainian battalion commander reported that the situation along the front was "stable" and that Russian forces had not made any meaningful gains since 12 June.

29 June

Fighting continued with no confirmed change to the front-line. Namely, fighting continued in Vovchansk while Russian forces where reported to have conducted TOS-1A thermobaric artillery strikes in the Lyptsi direction.

30 June

Russian forces advanced in central Vovchansk, while at the Aggregate Plant Ukrainian forces encircled an indeterminate amount of Russian troops. Russian forces also made limited gains near Lypsti and Hlyboke.

1 July

Geolocated footage showed Ukrainian forces engaged in combat with another Russian cross-border raiding party at Zhuravka in the Sumy Oblast. Russian forces continued offensive efforts near Lyptsi and Hlyboke and in Vovchansk with no confirmed changes to the frontline.

The 3rd Assault Brigade claimed that they had "eliminated" an entire battalion of Russian soldiers in the past week, killing 151 and wounding 304. They also claimed that they had also destroyed a D-20 howitzer, three ZALA drones and a tank.

2 July

The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces are conducting sabotage and reconnaissance activities in the Sumy and Chernihiv oblasts. Geolocated footage showed a limited Russian presence in the forest outside Zhuravka. Russian forces advanced in Vovchansk with fresh Russian Spetsnaz troops from the 2nd Spetsnaz Brigade while the 138th Motorized Rifle Brigade reinforced positions elsewhere on the front, near Hlyboke and Lyptsi.

3 July

Russian forces continued to launch limited cross-border raids in the Sumy oblast, with the oblast's Military Administration Head Volodymyr Artyukh reporting that the Russian forces weren't large enough to warrant a full incursion, while the ISW assessed that the raids are meant to distract Ukraine and draw resources from the front in Kharkiv. Ukrainian forces regained positions in Vovchansk as fighting continued near Hlyboke and Lyptsi.

4 July

Russian forces launched another cross-border raid on Sotnytskyi Kozachok, with Russian milbloggers claiming that it is the first step towards opening a new section of the front. Meanwhile, geolocated footage showed Ukrainian artillery destroy a platoon sized Russian armored column that failed to advance on Hlyboke, the first platoon-sized assault since mid-May.

5 July

Yuriy Povkh reported that Ukrainian forces where still engaged with a Russian sabotage group near Sotnytskyi Kozachok. Meanwhile Russian forces made gains in Vovchansk, with continued fighting in the northeast and central part of the settlement. Russian milbloggers meanwhile claimed that Ukrainian forces are counterattacking near Lyptsi, Hlyboke and Tykhe.

6 July

More Russian sabotage groups where reported operating on the Ukraine-Russian border, with Russian milbloggers reporting of groups attacking Oleksandrivka and Popivka in Sumy Oblast as well as continued fighting in Sotnytskyi Kozachok. The ISW assessed that this is likely the grouping of Russian forces Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned about gathering on the Ukrainian border on May 26.

Fighting continued along the front with no confirmed changes to the front-line. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces continued offensive operations near Lyptsi, Hlyboke, Starytsia and Vovchansk. Yuriy Povkh also noted that Russia had regrouped its units into smaller forces out of concern of being targeted by Ukrainian artillery. Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov reported that a battalion-sized force of the Russian 7th Motorized Rifle Regiment was destroyed near Lyptsi sometime in late June.

7 July

Ukrainian forces advanced following counterattacks on Hlyboke, with Russian milbloggers disputing if the village was in either Russian or Ukrainian control. Counterattacks were also reported near Lyptsi and Tykhe, however, milbloggers reported that these were limited probing raids to scout Russian defensive positions. The Ukrainian National Guard reported to have destroyed a Russian tactical command post and small ammunition depot near Hlyboke. Additionally, there are continued reports of Russian advances in central Vovchansk.

8 July

Russian forces continued offensive operations although there was no change to the front-line. Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces are conducting constant counterattacks near Hlyboke while heavy fighting continues in central Vovchansk. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian General Staff reported Russian ground attacks near Hlyboke, Lyptsi, Starytsia, Tykhe, and Vovchansk.

9 July

Ukrainian forces regained positions near and in Hlyboke defended by the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade, including most of the western half of the settlement. Meanwhile Russian milbloggers reported that Ukrainian forces where concentrating attacks on Lyptsi. The Ukrainian General Staff reported continued clashes in and around Sotnytskyi Kozachok, Starytsia, Tykhe, and Vovchansk. A Ukrainian serviceman also reported that Russian forces were attempting to attack positions in Vovchansk while in civilian clothes, hiding machine-guns under said civilian clothes, which constitutes perfidy, a war-crime per Articles 37, 38 and 39 of the Geneva convention.

10 July

The ISW assessed that Russian forces had advanced into central Vovchansk three days prior and had crossed the Vovcha River, capturing the southern tip of the northern portion of the city in the process. Fighting continued in Hlyboke, Lyptsi, and Starytsia but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline.

11 July

Ukrainian forces marginally advanced outskirts of Hlyboke, while Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces where bypassing the settlement. Some Russian milbloggers claimed Russian forces had crossed the Vovcha, while Kremlin-affiliated milbloggers denied this.

12 July

Fighting continued with no confirmed change to the front-line. More Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces crossed the Vovcha.

13 July

Fighting continued with no changes to the front-line, namely near Hlyboke, Lyptsi, Starytsia, Vovchansk, and Tykhe. The Ukrainian Kharkiv Group of Forces reported that Russian forces were regrouping for further actions towards Vovchansk.

14 July

Ukrainian forces conducted localized counterattacks within Vovchansk, capturing tactical positions. Geolocated footage published on July 14 also showed the Chechen 204th "Akhmat" Spetsnaz Regiment fighting in Vovchansk. Additionally, the 245th Motorized Rifle Regiment was also spotted fighting in Sotnytskyi Kozachok. Meanwhile, the ISW reported that a Russian source claimed that the Russian Northern Grouping of Forces, responsible for the offensive in the Kharkiv direction, has "only" 30,000 to 70,000 troops "insufficient for a full-fledged penetration of Ukrainian defenses to a depth of 40 kilometers".

15 July

Russian forces launched a major offensive effort, however, failed to advance. Russian and Ukrainian sources reported that fighting continued within Vovchansk and near Hlyboke.

16 July

Russian forces continued ground attacks near Hlyboke and in Vovchansk with no confirmed changes to the front-line.

17 July

Geolocated footage showed a Ukrainian artillery strike on Russian positions in Sotnytskyi Kozachok, with no subsequent reports of a Russian presence in the settlement. The ISW assessed that this means that Russia does not have an enduring presence within the settlement. Russian forces marginally advanced north of Hlyboke while other offensive actions where reported near Vovchansk and Tykhe. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reported that the offensive will continue until a "security buffer" is created in northern Kharkiv.

18 July

Russian forces reportedly conducted a limited and unsuccessful cross-border raid into Sumy Oblast, failing to break through to Chuikivka, Rozhkovychi, and Sytne. Russian forces made a marginal confirmed advance in Vovchansk as fighting also continued near Tykhe.

19 July

Russian forces continued offensive operations near Hlyboke and Vovchansk with no confirmed changes to the front-line. Russian milbloggers, meanwhile, claimed that Ukrainian forces are counterattacking near Starytsia, Vovchansk, Tykhe, and Vovchanskyi-Khutory.

20 July

Russian forces recently advanced within western Starytsia as per geolocated footage, while milbloggers claimed that Russian forces also gained positions in Hlyboke and that Ukrainian forces were counterattacking near Starytsia, Hlyboke, and Lyptsi. Russian forces also continued offensive operations near Vovchansk with fresh troops.

21 July

Russian forces continued localized offensive operations near Hlyboke Vovchansk but did not advance. A Russian milblogger claims Russian forces repelled a Ukrainian counterattack across the Travianske Reservoir near Lyptsi. Russian military command continued to reinforce Russian forces near Hlyboke and Vovchansk with rotated troops. Ukrainian intelligence intercepted and published a complaint from a wife of a Russian serviceman fighting near Lyptsi that reported Russian forces there were operating without food or water.

22 July

Russian forces marginally advanced within Vovchansk and west of Synelnykove. Meanwhile Kostyantyn Mashovets stated that Russian forces only maintain control of the northern part of Hlyboke while Russian sources either call the settlement a "grey area" or under Russian control. Russian milbloggers also claimed that Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Hlyboke and within Vovchansk. Additionally, the Kharkiv Group of Forces reported that Russian forces where building up near Shebekino, Belgorod Oblast, in preparation for another offensive.

23 July

Russian forces continued localized offensive operations near Hlyboke, with milbloggers again claiming that the settlement is under Russian control. A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces conducted airstrikes between Lyptsi and Hlyboke, causing Ukrainian forces to pull back and replenish reserves. Positional fighting continued near Hlyboke, Vovchansk Vovchanski Khutory, and Tykhe. Russian sources also claimed that Ukrainian forces where becoming more active near Starytsya, while Ukrainian sources reported that the main force of the Russian army was concentrated near Vovchansk and Hlyboke.

24 July

Russian forces conducted a limited cross-border attack near Sotnytskyi Kozachok, however, Russian forces did not attempt to hold onto positions and quickly returned across the border. Russian forces advanced in western Hlyboke as fighting also continued in Vovchansk, Tykhe, and Starytsya.

25 July

The Ukrainian General Staff reported another raid on Sotnytskyi Kozachok which again held no territory and quickly returned across the border. Geolocated footage showed Russian forces marginally advancing north of Hlyboke as fighting continued within Vovchansk and near Starytsya and Tykhe. Russian forces launched 28 glide bombs at targets north of Kharkiv City near Ruska Lozova, Pytomnik, Vesele, Lyptsi, and Hlyboke and northeast of Kharkiv City near Starytsya and Vovchanski Khutory.

26 July

Russian milbloggers claimed another raid on Sotnytskyi Kozachok, however, this was not verified by any official Ukrainian or Russian source. Fighting continued near Hlyboke, Vovchansk, Vovchanski Khutory, and Tykhe with no changes to the front-line. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces again conducted glide bomb strikes near Lyptsi, Hlyboke, Vovchansk, Vovchanski Khutory, and Tykhe. The Russian 11th Separate Guards Engineering Brigade was also reported fighting in Vovchansk.

27 July

Ukrainian forces advanced within Vovchansk and counterattacked near Starytsya. Russian forces continued assaults near Hlyboke, Slobozhanske, Vovchansk and Tykhe.

28 July

Ukrainian State Border Service Spokesman Andriy Demchenko stated that Russian reconnaissance and sabotage activity along the border in Sumy Oblast has decreased but has not stopped. The ISW assessed that it was "likely" Russian forces no longer held positions south of the Vovcha River within Vovchansk amidst a Ukrainian counterattack. A Russian milblogger, meanwhile, claimed that Russian forces only control the western part of the Aggregate Plant within central Vovchansk. Ukrainian Kharkiv Group of Forces Spokesman Colonel Vitaly Sarantsev stated that Russian forces are suffering from significant losses and are exhausting their limited reserves. Sarantsev also reported that Ukrainian artillery was also targeting Russian positions within Belgorod Oblast along the border with Kharkiv.

29 July

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited a Special Operations Forces front-line command post near Vovchansk visiting with soldiers and members of the general staff. This comes amidst reports that the Russian bridgehead across the Vovcha river was encircled and abandoned by Russian command to instead focus on defending the aggregate plant and preventing an encirclement of most Russian forces in the city.

30 July

Russian forces continued offensive operations near Hlyboke and Vovchansk. The Ukrainian Kharkiv Group of Forces reported that Russian forces are using hunting rifles to counter Ukrainian drones. Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces unsuccessfully counterattacked near Hlyboke, within Vovchansk, and near Starytsya.

31 July

A Russian insider source claimed Ukrainian forces ambushed elements of the Russian 322nd Spetsnaz Training Center in the Semenivskyi Raion, Chernihiv Oblast border area. The report claimed that 5 Russian Spetsnaz personnel where killed in the ambush, and that it was covered up to save face in the wake of the defeat of Wagner personnel at the 2nd Battle of Tinzaouaten. Fighting continued in Vovchansk, with Russian milbloggers claiming marginal advances that the ISW was unable to verify. Russian forces also continued ground attacks near Hlyboke, Starytsya, and Tykhe with no change to the front-line.

1 August

Fighting continued near Hlyboke, Vovchansk, and Tykhe with no changes to the front-line. Russian milbloggers again claimed marginal advances within Vovchansk that the ISW was again unable to verify. Additionally, elements of the Russian 138th Motorized Rifle Brigade and 83rd Airborne Brigade began assembling on the Belgorod border for potential deployment towards Kharkiv.

2 August

Fighting continued near Hlyboke, Lyptsi, Vovchansk, and Tykhe with no confirmed changes to the front-line. Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces where battling for positions near the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant and maintain positions in the western part of the facility. The Ukrainian Kharkiv Group of Forces reported that Russia had commenced a troop rotation in Vovchansk.

3 August

Russian forces continued offensive operations near Hlyboke, Vovchansk, and Tykhe with no confirmed changes to the front-line. Ukrainian Kharkiv Group of Forces Spokesman Colonel Vitaly Sarantsev stated that Russian forces where rotating troops from occupied Luhansk Oblast to the area around Starytsya.

4 August

Positional engagements continued along the front with no confirmed changes to the front-line. Some Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces are transferring additional reserves to northern Kharkiv Oblast and conducting limited rotations near both Hlyboke and Vovchansk. Ukraine's Kharkiv Group of Forces also reported that the Russian military command has transferred responsibility for positions in northern Vovchansk from the 4th Volunteer Assault Brigade to the 153rd Tank Regiment.

5 August

Positional engagements continued along the front with no confirmed changes to the front-line. The Ukrainian Kharkiv Group of Forces reported that elements of the Russian 79th Motorized Rifle Regiment and 155th Naval Infantry Brigade were rotated to Hlyboke to assist in the fighting there.

6 August

Fighting continued with no confirmed changes to the front-line. A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces seized a height near Tykhe, however, said claim was not backed by any evidence and the ISW was unable to verify it.

7 August

Coinciding with the August 2024 Kursk Oblast incursion, activity in Kharkiv dropped significantly, with only limited engagements along the front-line. Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces are deploying additional manpower and conducting counterattacks near Hlyboke and within Vovochansk, however, there was no verifiable evidence to back these claims up. The Ukrainian General Staff reported fighting near Lyptsi, Vovchansk, and Tykhe, while the Kharkiv Group of Forces also noted that Russian forces are using TOS-1A thermobaric artillery systems in the area. Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets noted that Russian forces had not withdrawn from Kharkiv to engage Ukrainian forces in Kursk. The ISW estimated, according to publicly available troop movements, that there where between 72,000 to 75,000 Russian personnel engaged in northern Kharkiv.

8 August

Russian forces continued offensive operations near Hlyboke, Vovchansk, and Tykhe with no confirmed changes to the front-line. The Ukrainian Kharkiv Group of Forces reported that Russian forces recently transferred an unspecified unit from occupied Luhansk Oblast to the Vovchansk direction.

9 August

Russian forces reportedly seized border settlements that they had previously raided, namely, Sotnytskyi Kozachok in Kharkiv Oblast, and Lukashivka in Sumy Oblast. Russian forces also continued offensive operations near Hlyboke and Vovchansk with no confirmed changes to the front-line.

10 August

A prominent Russian milblogger denied earlier claims that Russian forces had captured Lukashivka and Sotnytskyi Kozachok, stating that these settlements had changed hands dozens of times in the past weeks as there are no adequate defensive positions for either side to utilize. Russian forces continued offensive operations near Hlyboke, Vovchansk, and Starytsya.

11 August

Ukrainian Northern Operational Command Spokesman Vadym Mysnyk stated Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups remain active in the border areas of Sumy and Chernihiv oblasts. Russian forces continued offensive operations with no confirmed changes to the front-line.

12 August

Russian forces advanced marginally within Vovchansk and near Tykhe. The Ukrainian Kharkiv Grouping of Forces reported that Russian forces near Vovchansk are attempting to improve their logistics and communications for future operations and that Russian forces northwest of Tykhe are fortifying their current positions.

13 August

The Ukrainian Khartiia Brigade repelled a Russian armored assault with twelve tanks, destroying four tanks and damaging one. Ten Russian soldiers were killed and 30 were wounded. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian General Staff reported that battles continued near Hlyboke, Lyptsi, Tykhe, and Vovchansk. The Ukrainian Kharkiv Group of Forces reported that the Russian 11th Tank Regiment was being rotated into Vovchank to replenish manpower losses. The Kharkiv Group of Forces also reported observed evacuation points for the Russian 138th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade in Vovchank.

14 August

Russian forces made marginal advances along the Travyanske Reservoir. Additional geolocated footage showed a Russian advance along a windbreak near Lukyantsi. Ukrainian sources also reported Russian forces attacked Hlyboke, Lyptsi, Vovchansk, Tykhe, and in the direction of Vovchanski Khutory.

15 August

Russian forces continued ground assaults near Sotnytskyi Kozachok. Additionally Russian forces also continued ground assaults near Lyptsi, Hlyboke, Starytsya, and Vovchansk.

Battle of Vovchansk

Drone footage of the Ruins of Vovchansk on 2 June, 2024

Vovchansk began to come under heavy artillery fire on the night of 10 May, which continued the following day. Russian troops advanced towards Vovchansk following the capture of Zelene and Lukiantsi on 12 May, and managed to capture the Vovchansky meat processing plant located north of the city. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on Instagram that "at the moment, the enemy has tactical success". Forbes reported that Ukrainian forces deployed Swedish CV90s in Vovchansk.

On 13 May, a shoe factory in the north of the city was captured in the morning and Russian troops advanced into the center of Vovchansk up to the northern (right) bank of the river Vovcha by the evening, according to Russian milbloggers.

On 20 May, Deputy Governor Roman Semenukha claimed that Ukraine still controls 60% of Vovchansk. House to house fighting in the city was also reported.

On 30 May, the Liut Brigade were reported to be conducting "door-to-door mop-up operations" in order to prevent Russian forces from gaining a foothold in other sections of the city.

Ukrainian soldiers said in May that the situation in Vovchansk was "hotter" than in the Battle of Bakhmut, but that in this case they had the artillery shells needed to defend themselves.

On 7 June, Ukraine's Khortytsia Regional Command claimed that more than 60 Russian soldiers had been captured in and around Vovchansk in "less than" a week. Meanwhile, on 12 June, the Ukrainian 3rd Assault Brigade published a video purporting to show the capture of 24 Russian soldiers taken in Vovchansk.

On 16 June, David Axe, a military correspondent for Forbes, claimed that attempts by Russia to advance into southern Vovchansk had failed and that as many as 400 Russians had been encircled by Ukrainian troops in and around a chemical plant in the city, with 30 of them having surrendered. The Institute for the Study of War assessed that Russian forces had advanced on the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant within Vovchansk citing geolocated footage and images.

On 17 June, David Axe reported that Ukrainian forces had begun using French supplied Hammer glide bombs in Vovchansk in order to bomb Russian positions.

On 19 June it was reported that Ukrainian forces had encircled a number of Russian troops in the aggregate plant, with estimates ranging from a few dozen to up to 200.

On 20 June Ukraine reported that Russia no longer controlled any territory in the central part of Vovchansk, with fighting now limited to just the northern portion of the city.

On 24 June Ukrainian forces counterattacked and regained some tactical positions in northeastern Vovchansk. This was followed by additional advances on 25 June.

On 28 June Ukrainian forces recaptured positions within central Vovchansk.

On 30 June Russian forces advanced in Vovchansk, however, an indeterminate number of Russian soldiers were encircled at the aggregate plant.

On 2 July, the ISW reported that the Russian forces including the 2nd Spetsnaz Brigade had made advances in northern Vovchansk.

On 3 July, Ukrainian forces regained positions in Vovchansk.

On 7 July, Russian forces advanced in central and northern Vovchansk after crossing the Vovcha River.

On 22 July, a Russian soldier inside the "citadel" said in a video that he was the last in his unit of 300 people, and that only 10 of the 30 replacements sent were left alive, saying that "the flies are thick because of all the bodies".

Analysis

The offensive comes at a time when the limited Ukrainian troops were already stretched across a 1,000+ km frontline, forcing partial troop pull backs from other areas such as Kupiansk. Observers assessed that Ukraine appeared to be ill-prepared for the offensive despite official denials. Noting a small buildup of Russian forces near Sumy Oblast, Kiev warned that the current operation may be a precursor to a larger summer offensive.

In a Reuters article, Pasi Paroinen, an analyst with the Black Bird Group, also assessed that the Kharkiv push aimed to deplete limited Ukrainian reserves before a main offensive. Notably, he said: "If Ukraine overcommits in Kharkiv and Sumy, they may preserve some territory there, perhaps prevent Kharkiv civilians from suffering artillery bombardments, perhaps even push back the enemy back to the border, but it may cost them the war, if the reserves are not available to respond to crises during the Russian summer offensive." In a lighter tone, David Axe, a military correspondent for Forbes, suggested that the offensive might be "an elaborate feint" whose main goal was to pull Ukrainian resources away from Chasiv Yar and the area of Avdiivka.

On 28 May, the Institute for the Study of War reported attacks east of Chasiv Yar and Novopokrovske, as well as attacks near Novomykhailivka and Staromaiorske, all of which are in Donetsk Oblast. All four attacks were considered by the ISW to have likely been intended to test Ukrainian response after the Kharkiv offensive; they failed to make any meaningful gain.

The decision by US president Joe Biden in late May to allow firing US-supplied weapons into Russian territory to defend Kharkiv was seen by observers as having allowed Ukraine to very quickly stem the Russian offensive, and gain time to bring in troops from the southern and eastern fronts.

By July 6, Russian milbloggers began to critically denounce the offensive's leadership, claiming that Russian forces are far from achieving their objective of creating a 15-kilometer buffer zone and that Russian forces are struggling with coordination in the Vovchansk direction. These milbloggers also pointed out that Russian forces have already suffered a third of the casualties that Russian forces suffered in their four-month campaign to seize Avdiivka (ie. ~16,500 casualties). Milbloggers conclude that this is the result of the poor leadership and tactical skills of Colonel General Alexander Lapin, commander of the Russian Northern Grouping of Forces.

Reactions

On 25 May 2024, the Ukrainian State Bureau of Investigation opened an investigation into the Ukrainian army's 125th Brigade and its subordinate units for failing to "properly organize the defense of positions on the border of Kharkiv Oblast" due to a "careless attitude to military service".

On 30 May 2024, US president Biden gave Ukraine permission to strike targets inside Russia near Kharkiv Oblast using American-supplied weapons. The same permission was given to Ukraine by Germany, France and the United Kingdom.

On 8 June 2024, Ukrainian president Zelenskyy said in his evening address that Russia had failed its Kharkiv offensive despite on-going fighting in the area.

On 9 June 2024, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that Russia's advance in the area had "stalled out".

Military casualty claims

The Ukrainian's Khortytsia group claimed on 10 June that Russia lost 4,000 soldiers killed and injured over the past month. They also claimed to have damaged or destroyed 52 Russian tanks, 59 armored vehicles, 165 artillery systems, six units of air defense equipment. However, an undisclosed NATO official estimated that "Russia likely suffered losses of almost 1,000 people a day in May," referring to the number of fatalities, potentially indicating even higher numbers than those presented by the Khortytsia group.

On 10 July, Ukraine's Kharkiv OTP group made an estimate claiming that out of 10,350 Russian troops deployed, 2,939 soldiers had been killed and 6,509 had been wounded in action, losses of approximately 91%. Additionally, 45 Russian troops have been captured as of early July. Russia's 83rd Air Assault Brigade was claimed to be "constantly suffering losses" of "several dozen people a day". On 21 July, President Zelenskyy gave a much higher claim of Russians killed, saying that "their maximum depth of incursion was 10 kilometres from the border. We stopped them. Approximately 20,000 people died." In that same interview, he claimed that the ratio of killed and wounded soldiers "in" Russia is 1 to 3.

As of 21 June, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that Ukraine suffered 9,845 losses, including killed and wounded, in at least 9 brigades in the Kharkov direction since the start of the offensive. It also said that 28 tanks, 46 armored combat vehicles, 30 MLRS combat vehicles, 5 air defense vehicles and 6 EW stations from Ukraine, among other equipment, were destroyed in the time period.

Impact on civilians

Evacuation of a civilian and their dog from the front-line region

The governor of Kharkiv Oblast reported that, as of 20 May 2024, more than 10,500 residents have been evacuated from areas of Kharkiv Oblast affected by the fighting, particularly in Kharkiv, Bohodukhiv and Chuhuiv raions. By 14 May, only about 400 civilians remained in Vovchansk, with "almost none" in the northern part of the city.

Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko claimed on 16 May that a resident of Vovchansk had been killed by Russian soldiers after refusing to obey their orders and attempting to escape on foot. He also said that other civilians were being forced into basements.

A video shot by aerial reconnaissance over Vovchansk showed the body of a dead civilian man in a wheelchair in the middle of a road near a local hospital that had been occupied by Russian forces. Law enforcement officials reported they opened a proceeding to investigate the circumstances of the death.

On 7 June, the regional governor of the Sumy Oblast Volodymyr Artyukh ordered the evacuation of 8 border settlements in the Sumy Oblast.

Allegations of war crimes

Ukrainian police claimed on 17 May that up to 40 civilians, mostly elderly, were being interrogated by people who were calling themselves FSB employees, and alleged that they were being used as human shields by Russian forces, a claim which has not been independently verified.

Furthermore, a Ukrainian military spokesman claimed that Russian forces were looting houses of local residents on the outskirts of Vovchansk, with a video published on Telegram showing a Russian soldier taking a large covered object into a UAZ-3303 truck, purportedly looting.

On June 9, a Ukrainian serviceman reported that Russian forces where attempting to attack positions in Vovchansk while in civilian clothes, hiding machine-guns under said civilian clothes, which constitutes perfidy, a war-crime per Articles 37, 38 and 39 of the Geneva convention.

See also

• List of military engagements during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
• Battle of Kupiansk
• 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive
• Battle of Chasiv Yar
• Battle of Krasnohorivka