Enemy expanded combat zone by almost 70 km in Kharkiv region – Syrskyi
17 May 2024 13:16
Russian troops have expanded the zone of active hostilities by almost 70 kilometres, thus trying to force the defenders of Ukraine to deploy an additional number of brigades from the reserve. This was reported by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
“Due to the complication of the situation in eastern Ukraine, I have been working for several days in a row in the units that are engaged in combat operations in Kharkiv region. The enemy has expanded the area of active hostilities by almost 70 kilometres, thus trying to force us to use an additional number of brigades from the reserve,”
– he wrote on Telegram.
Syrsky said that the enemy focused its main efforts on the direction of Strilecha – Liptsi and the capture of Vovchansk, with further access to Bilyi Kolodyazh and the launch of an offensive to the rear of our troops. For this purpose, the Russians created and strengthened the operational and tactical grouping of troops “North”, which included combat units of the 6th Army, 11th and 44th Army Corps of the Russian Federation.
“The enemy launched an offensive much earlier than planned when they noticed our troops being redeployed, but they failed to break through our defences. However, we understand that there will be heavy fighting ahead and the enemy is preparing for it. In such circumstances, we must prevent further advance of the enemy troops by steadily holding the occupied borders and positions, strikes by aircraft, missile systems, artillery and tank fire to inflict maximum losses on them, as well as create conditions for defeat by mobile assault groups and units with attacks to the flank and rear from different directions,”
– noted Syrskyi.
The Commander-in-Chief emphasised that his work was devoted to these issues, as well as to regrouping troops and simplifying the system of comprehensive support.
Syrskyi worked in all the brigades fighting in Kharkiv region, visited one of the battalions defending Vovchansk, and made all the necessary decisions on the spot to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of defence. He also visited and inspected all units preparing for defence in the Sumy sector.
Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the army command said that Ukrainian troops had partially stabilised the situation. Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn, spokesman for the Khortytsia military group, said that Russian troops are trying to achieve tactical success near Lukianets and Vovchansk to create bridgeheads for further advance, but Ukrainian counterattacks, artillery and drone strikes are preventing Russian troops from gaining a foothold in these areas.
