Russia has 'failed' in Kharkiv offensive-Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Russia has “failed” in its offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region.

“Today I spoke with the Commander-in-Chief (Oleksandr Syrskyi) — overall, about the situation. A significant outcome is that the Russian army has failed to execute their Kharkiv operation,” Zelenskyy said in an evening video address late on Saturday.

Zelenskyy noted that the Ukrainian army is currently holding off Russian forces “to the best of our ability,” and they have reinforced the front in the region and plan to continue doing so.

Zelenskyy also reported on the situation in the “most difficult” Donetsk front in the east, indicating that Kyiv is working to provide more reserves for the Ukrainian army. He mentioned that new solutions have been achieved to reinforce Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

“Progress has also been made in artillery — including the production of 155-caliber shells in Ukraine, and we are preparing a new manufacturing platform. Our combat aviation and electronic warfare capabilities are also being improved,” Zelenskyy added.

He mentioned that new security agreements for Ukraine are nearly ready, highlighting that the past month saw Kyiv expand its battlefield capabilities. In June, the country aims to “strengthen our diplomacy and strategic perspectives.”

Russian forces have been attempting to breach Ukraine’s defenses in the Kharkiv region since early May, opening a new front in the over two-year-long conflict that had previously been concentrated in the country’s east and south.

Clashes in the region have intensified since then, particularly near Vovchansk, located about 74 kilometers (45 miles) from Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, which has also been targeted by Russian airstrikes.

Russia claims to have seized control of multiple border settlements since the start of its offensive on the Kharkiv front, as well as other fronts, including Donetsk.