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Translated by: Flutura Gashi-Mehmeti
- 11 May 2024 17:40
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The Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday that Moscow's forces had captured five villages as part of a renewed ground offensive in northeastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials have not confirmed whether the Russians had taken the villages, which lie in a disputed "gray zone" on the border of Ukraine's Kharkiv region and Russia, the AP reports.
Ukrainian journalists reported that the villages of Borysivka, Ohirtseve, Pylna and Strilecha were captured by Russian troops on Friday. Russian authorities said the village of Pletenivka was also taken.
The Institute for the Study of War said on Friday that footage confirmed that at least one of the villages was captured. The Washington-based think tank described the latest Russian achievements as "tactically important".
The new offensive in the region has forced more than 1700 civilians living in settlements near the fighting to flee, according to Ukrainian authorities.
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It comes after Russia stepped up attacks in March targeting energy infrastructure and settlements, which analysts predicted was a concerted effort by Moscow to create the conditions for an offensive.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Friday evening that Russian forces were expanding their operations. He also called on the country's Western allies to ensure that promised military aid shipments reach the front lines quickly.
"It is essential that partners support our fighters and Ukrainian resilience with timely deliveries. A package that really helps is the immediate delivery of weapons to Ukraine, and not just the announcement of a package," he said.
The attack was launched from two areas in the Kharkiv region early Friday, Ukrainian officials and analysts said.
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Russia makes significant advances in southern Ukraine, intensifies attacks on front lines
Russian offensive groups tried to break the Ukrainian defense lines in the city of Vovchansk and in the region north of the village of Lyptsi.
