Zelenskyy: Situation Stabilizing in Northern Kharkiv Region Amid Russian Advance

Ukrainian defense forces have successfully stabilized the situation concerning the advance of Russian troops in the northern part of the Kharkiv region, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

President Zelenskyy reported having a “substantive meeting” with key military and security officials, including Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Joint Forces Yuriy Sodol, Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Military Training Mykhailo Drapatyi, Chairman of the State Border Guard Service Serhiy Deineko, and representatives of the National Police.

“The main thing today is that our Defense Forces have stabilized the situation. As of today, our Defense Forces have contained the Russian forces where they are currently positioned. The deepest point of their advancement is 10 kilometers. On some fronts, enemy brigades have made no progress at all—and there hasn’t been any,” Zelenskyy said.

The President noted that “very powerful brigades” are currently operating in the Kharkiv region, with some directions reinforced by separate battalions drawn from reserves and other areas.

Zelenskyy highlighted that the main target of the Russian forces is the city of Vovchansk, and they aim to capture a zone within 10 kilometers.

“The first line is not the border; it’s impossible to build there due to constant shelling. The first and second lines are constructed by our military, while the third line is built by local authorities. It is the strongest, not because they are better than the military, but simply because it is farther from the weapons and shelling,” Zelenskyy explained.

Previously, the President mentioned that deploying two additional Patriot anti-aircraft systems could help Ukraine prevent Russia’s occupation of Kharkiv.