Ukraine has pulled back troops near several villages in the northeastern Kharkiv region, where Russian forces have been advancing and pounding settlements in a new offensive along the border, Kyiv said.

Kharkiv

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Ukraine has conducted a strategic withdrawal of its troops from two areas in the northeastern Kharkiv region, amidst a new offensive by Russian forces. The region has been subjected to intense military aggression, with Russian troops launching attacks and capturing several villages along the border. The escalation marks a significant phase in the prolonged conflict, underscoring the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces in defending their positions.

In a vivid instance of the violence, a residential building in the heart of Kharkiv city was severely damaged following a Russian missile strike. The strike, which involved an S-300 missile, targeted an ordinary residential area, inciting fears of indiscriminate attacks aimed at terrorizing the civilian population. According to Kharkiv's mayor, the city experienced one of its most destructive days recently, with multiple bombings that have contributed to the severity of the situation.

The ongoing assault, initiated on May 10th, represents a new front in the conflict, compelling thousands to evacuate as Russian forces make territorial gains. The Ukrainian military has been compelled to retreat from specific northeastern positions, yet remains committed to stalling the Russian advance. A significant concern for Ukrainian forces is the awaited Western military aid, expected to arrive in the coming weeks, which is crucial for altering the dynamics on the battlefield.

Despite the adversities, there is a cautious optimism regarding the future. The strategic position of Kharkiv, proximate to the Russian border, permits direct attacks by Russia. However, military analysts suggest that the current deployment of up to 70,000 Russian troops in the region may not suffice to capture the city, hinting at possible Russian strategies to overburden the already stretched Ukrainian military forces.



Ukraine pulls back from two areas of Kharkiv

Minutes after a Russian strike, this residential building in the Kharkiv city centre was barely left standing. In the street below, experts were cautiously removing an S-300 missile, the only one that didn't explode. These are guided aerial munitions that were launched from Russian territory. There are no military targets here, it's an ordinary residential area. They are just terrorising the population. Kharkiv's mayor said the city was hit by at least five bombs on Tuesday, marking one of the most destructive days since the start of Moscow's renewed offensive on the region. The assault, which began on May 10th, has opened a new front in the two-year conflict, forcing thousands of people to evacuate as Russian troops captured a string of villages in the area. The Ukrainian army said it had to pull back from two positions in the northeast on Tuesday, but troops were still trying to hold off Moscow's advance until the delivery of promised Western military aid, which was expected to take several more weeks. The next two months will be the most difficult. After that, we will have a completely different situation on the battlefield. Kharkiv's position near the Russian border has allowed Moscow to attack it from its own territory. And while it's massed up to 70,000 troops in the region, analysts say that won't be enough to capture a city the size of Kharkiv. They warn Russia could simply be trying to pile pressure on already depleted and overstretched Ukrainian forces.

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Ukraine Invasion