Russian forces are attempting to probe Ukrainian defensive positions in the Vovchansk municipality of Kharkiv region but are taking heavy losses, Ukraine's border guard service announced.
State Border Guard Service spokesman Andriy Demchenko said during the Yedyni Novyny national news telethon that enemy forces had been trying for about a week to feel out Ukrainian defenses within Vovchansk hromada. He stated that Russian troops were attacking positions held by Ukrainian defenders, including border guard units in defense sectors, to broaden their control zone. Demchenko added that Russia could be seeking to create conditions for further advancement.
Russian forces have maintained activity in Vovchansk hromada since the start of the year, particularly towards Dihtiarne, without achieving significant success. Demchenko reported that infiltrating units are suffering heavy casualties, with many occupiers killed, wounded or captured. He said Ukrainian soldiers are actively working to destroy enemy logistics and firepower assets on Russian territory that are used to shell Ukrainian land.
Border defense and strikes inside Russia
Vovchansk is a frontier municipality in northeastern Kharkiv region, located just south of the international border with Russia. The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine is the government agency responsible for securing the national frontier, operating dedicated defense sectors alongside regular military units to protect border communities.
Infantry advances near Kupiansk
Further south in Kharkiv region, Ukrainian infantry recently conducted an operation on the Kupiansk axis, clearing about two square kilometers of forest. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War, a research organization based in the United States, noted that Ukrainian troops operated freely in open fields. The think tank assessed that Ukrainian forces likely suppressed Russian strike drones beforehand, leaving enemy troops unable to counter the offensive.
ISW experts recalled that Ukrainian forces earlier captured 7.5 square kilometers of forest strips southwest of Dvorichna and advanced north of Zakhidne. Those actions followed strikes against Russian personnel concentrations, unmanned ground vehicles, radar stations, electronic warfare systems, communication antennas and Molniya strike drones in the Kupiansk direction. Kupiansk is a strategic railway junction situated along the Oskil River.
