At least seven people have been killed and more than a dozen injured in a Russian missile attack on Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine. The regional head, Oleg Sinegubov, reported that two people remain missing after Russian forces launched at least 15 strikes on Ukraine’s second-largest city. Residents have been urged to remain in shelters due to the ongoing threat.
The attack caused significant damage to several facilities operated by Ukraine’s state railway company, injuring numerous employees. This assault is part of a broader renewed Russian offensive in the region, aimed at breaking through a weakened Ukrainian front line. Despite continued fighting near the towns of Pletenivka and Vovchansk, Ukrainian forces have managed to hold their positions.
Massive missile attack in Kharkiv today—many dead & injured. The S300 & S400 launchers are kept across the border where Ukraine is not allowed to strike. Ukrainian Railways workers injured, but our Food Train team is okay. A longtime WCK restaurant partner was also hit, but okay. pic.twitter.com/pJqymjomLP
— Nate Mook (@natemook) May 23, 2024
Earlier this month, Russian forces began a renewed offensive in the Kharkiv region. Fighting in the Kharkiv region has displaced around 14,000 people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite Ukrainian resistance, Russian forces now control about 10 Ukrainian settlements.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that the intention is not to capture Kharkiv but to create a “security zone” for Russia’s border region. Ukraine, meanwhile, has been launching its own attacks into Russian territory. Belgorod, a city just 12 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, has been targeted multiple times, including a recent drone strike that killed one woman and injured three others.
In southeastern Ukraine, Russian forces have made significant territorial gains, including claims of capturing the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. Despite Ukrainian denials, independent analysts confirm Russian advances in the area. Robotyne’s loss would be symbolic for Ukraine, as it was a notable success during Kyiv’s summer counteroffensive.
The Russian MOD claimed that Russian forces completely captured the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia direction. This was the only village captured by Ukrainian forces in the Tokmak direction during their summer 2023 counteroffensive.
If true, this would put the Ukrainian… pic.twitter.com/xYmzb2aQQY
— AMK Mapping 🇺🇦🇳🇿 (@AMK_Mapping_) May 15, 2024
Further east, Russian troops have reportedly moved into Klishchiivka, a settlement near Bakhmut that Ukraine retook in September. Capturing this area would relieve pressure on Russian troops in Bakhmut and aid their efforts to seize the strategic town of Chasiv Yar.
The United States is set to announce an additional $275 million in military aid for Ukraine. This package will include high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, Javelin and AT-4 anti-tank systems, anti-tank mines, tactical vehicles, and small arms ammunition. The aid is part of the ongoing support promised by the Biden administration, aimed at ensuring that Ukraine receives a steady flow of military supplies to counter Russian advances. This marks the fourth installment of military aid since Congress passed a comprehensive foreign aid bill last month.
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