Zelensky: Russians advanced in Kharkiv region due to lack of aid and air defence
17 May 2024 11:27
The Russian offensive in the north of Kharkiv region was partially successful due to an 8-month pause in the provision of assistance to Ukraine from its partners. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to [Kommersant]
“Russians crossing the border is due to the lack of air defence. They use air bombs and artillery at a distance where they have an advantage,”
– the President said during a meeting with journalists.
He denied claims that the region did not have the defences that the military and civilian leadership had previously reported. According to Zelenskyy, the Russians have not even approached the real defensive redoubts yet. In general, there are three lines of defence in this area, and the Russians have only passed the first, the weakest one.
“The first line is not a border, it’s impossible to build there, because our people were killed by the weapons the Russians were using. They, the Russians, are approximately there now. This is the first line that was built in the war, under constant fire, by our military. The first and second lines are built by the military, and the third line is built by local authorities. It is the most powerful – not because they are better than the military, but simply because it is further away from weapons, from shells, from shelling,”
– the President said.
However, the situation has been stabilised, Zelenskyy said.
“The defence forces have stabilised the Russians where they are now. The deepest point of their advance is 10 kilometres. In the directions of some enemy brigades, there is no advance at all and there has never been any,”
– volodymyr Zelenskyy added.
Yesterday, 10 combat engagements took place in the Kharkiv sector . Our troops repelled 8 attacks in the vicinity of Liptsy, Starytsia and Vovchansk. The enemy continues to try to break through the defences of Ukrainian units in the Shebekino-Vovchansk area. The situation in Vovchansk is under control.
