Ukrainian officials suggest there are more Russian gains in the Kharkiv region

Ukrainian authorities suggested further gains by Russian forces this Wednesday (15) in the Kharkiv region, as Moscow continues its advance in northeastern Ukraine.

The city of Vovchansk, located about 60 kilometers northeast of Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv, is seeing some of the most intense fighting in areas close to the border, with a police official saying Russian forces are already in the city.

“The situation in Vovchansk is extremely difficult. The enemy is taking positions on the streets of Vovchansk,” said Oleksii Kharkivskyi, head of patrol at the Vovchansk Police Department, urging residents to retreat.

General Serhii “Marcel” Melnyk, commander of the Kharkiv city defense forces, also suggested there had been changes in Ukrainian positions in Vovchansk and a possible tactical withdrawal.

“Intense fighting is ongoing. In some areas, near Vovchansk and Lukiantsi, Ukrainian defenders were forced to move to more favorable positions to utilize their forces more effectively and defend the region from the offensive,” Melnyk said on Wednesday.

At least 24 people, including four children, were injured after Russian shelling in several parts of the Kharkiv region on Wednesday, Melnyk said.

Ukrainian monitoring group DeepStateMap indicated on Wednesday that Russian forces had reached parts of northeast Vovchansk as they continued to advance further south into Ukrainian territory.

Russian forces have taken control of more than nine villages near the border in recent days.

Mandatory evacuations continue in all northern border settlements, according to Roman Semenukha, deputy head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration.

Almost 8,000 people have been evacuated from these areas since May 10, when Russia launched its initiative.