Russia intensified its ground assault into Ukraine's Kharkiv region on Monday (May 13) as it has been attacking new areas with small groups to try to widen the front and stretch Ukraine's forces, the regional governor said, with the Ukrainian army admitting that Moscow was achieving "tactical success".&nbsp;

Last week on Friday, Russia launched a surprise ground offensive in Ukraine's northeast and opened a new front in the ongoing war. The local official said that Russia on Monday pummelled more than 30 towns and villages in the Kharkiv region.&nbsp;

In televised comments, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said, "The enemy is trying to deliberately stretch it (the front line), attacking in small groups, but in new directions, so to speak."&nbsp;

"The situation is difficult," he added.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-is-ready-if-west-wants-to-fight-for-ukraine-says-sergei-lavrov-720943">Russia is ready if West wants to fight for Ukraine, says Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov</a>&nbsp;

The Ukrainian army also acknowledged Russia was "achieving tactical success" after the ground assault.&nbsp;

Ukraine's general staff admitted in a statement on social media in the early hours of Monday: "At the moment, the enemy has tactical success"&nbsp;in the fight for Vovchansk.&nbsp;

Russia's defence ministry said its troops had "improved the tactical position and dealt a blow to (Ukrainian) manpower" around border villages, including Lyptsi, and the town of Vovchansk.&nbsp;

Sergiy Kryvetchenko, who is the deputy head of the Ukrainian military administration in the village of Lyptsi, told AFP: "They are shelling the villages, firing everything they can. The KABs (guided aerial bombs) are flying. The artillery is flying. Drones. Everything."&nbsp;

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<h2>Ukraine strikes Russian regions in the border area&nbsp;</h2>

Four people have been killed by strikes in a Russian-held part of eastern Ukraine and a Russian border region, local officials said on Monday (May 13). The Russian-installed leader of the eastern Lugansk region of Ukraine said rockets had hit an industrial zone in the territory.&nbsp;

The region was occupied by Moscow during the course of the ongoing war against Ukraine.&nbsp;

"We already know of three killed and four wounded" in the attack on Krasnodon, which is known as Sorokyne in Ukrainian, the official, Leonid Pasechnik, said on social media.&nbsp;

Earlier, Russian officials said that at least 15 people were killed and scores injured on Sunday when a section of a Russian apartment block collapsed after being struck by fragments of a Soviet-era missile in Belgorod. As per the official, the missile was launched by Ukraine and shot down by Russia.&nbsp;

In recent weeks, Russia and Ukraine have escalated aerial attacks on each other's border regions, but the one that happened on Sunday was one of the deadliest attacks to date on the region of Belgorod.&nbsp;

Russian officials claimed that Ukraine launched a massive missile attack, involving Tochka ballistic missiles and Adler and RM-70 Vampire (MLRS) multiple-launch rocket systems.&nbsp;

Russia's defence ministry said at least 12 missiles were involved in the Belgorod strikes, which it called a "terrorist attack on residential areas".

"Fragments of one of the downed Tochka-U missiles damaged an apartment building in the city of Belgorod," the ministry said.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Russia intensified its ground assault into Ukraine's Kharkiv region on Monday (May 13) as it has been attacking new areas with small groups to try to widen the front and stretch Ukraine's forces, the regional governor said, with the Ukrainian army admitting that Moscow was achieving "tactical success".

Russia intensified its ground assault into Ukraine's Kharkiv region on Monday (May 13) as it has been attacking new areas with small groups to try to widen the front and stretch Ukraine's forces, the regional governor said, with the Ukrainian army admitting that Moscow was achieving "tactical success". Last week on Friday, Russia launched a surprise ground offensive in Ukraine's northeast and opened a new front in the ongoing war. The local official said that Russia on Monday pummelled more than 30 towns and villages in the Kharkiv region. In televised comments, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said, "The enemy is trying to deliberately stretch it (the front line), attacking in small groups, but in new directions, so to speak." "The situation is difficult," he added. Also read: Russia is ready if West wants to fight for Ukraine, says Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov The Ukrainian army also acknowledged Russia was "achieving tactical success" after the ground assault. Ukraine's general staff admitted in a statement on social media in the early hours of Monday: "At the moment, the enemy has tactical success" in the fight for Vovchansk. Russia's defence ministry said its troops had "improved the tactical position and dealt a blow to (Ukrainian) manpower" around border villages, including Lyptsi, and the town of Vovchansk. Sergiy Kryvetchenko, who is the deputy head of the Ukrainian military administration in the village of Lyptsi, told AFP: "They are shelling the villages, firing everything they can. The KABs (guided aerial bombs) are flying. The artillery is flying. Drones. Everything." Also read: Who is Sergei Shoigu? Putin's hunting partner just shown exit door from Russian defence ministry Watch this report: × Ukraine strikes Russian regions in the border area Four people have been killed by strikes in a Russian-held part of eastern Ukraine and a Russian border region, local officials said on Monday (May 13). The Russian-installed leader of the eastern Lugansk region of Ukraine said rockets had hit an industrial zone in the territory. The region was occupied by Moscow during the course of the ongoing war against Ukraine. "We already know of three killed and four wounded" in the attack on Krasnodon, which is known as Sorokyne in Ukrainian, the official, Leonid Pasechnik, said on social media. Earlier, Russian officials said that at least 15 people were killed and scores injured on Sunday when a section of a Russian apartment block collapsed after being struck by fragments of a Soviet-era missile in Belgorod. As per the official, the missile was launched by Ukraine and shot down by Russia. In recent weeks, Russia and Ukraine have escalated aerial attacks on each other's border regions, but the one that happened on Sunday was one of the deadliest attacks to date on the region of Belgorod. Russian officials claimed that Ukraine launched a massive missile attack, involving Tochka ballistic missiles and Adler and RM-70 Vampire (MLRS) multiple-launch rocket systems. Russia's defence ministry said at least 12 missiles were involved in the Belgorod strikes, which it called a "terrorist attack on residential areas". "Fragments of one of the downed Tochka-U missiles damaged an apartment building in the city of Belgorod," the ministry said. Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos (With inputs from agencies)

Russia intensifies ground assault in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, achieves ‘tactical success’

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

The Russian military, in a statement on Saturday (February 18) claimed to have taken control of a village in the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv and said that it has been "completely liberated". This comes amid Moscow's ongoing invasion of Kyiv which began nearly a year ago. The small village in question is Hrianykivka near the key city of Kupiansk, in eastern Ukraine. &nbsp;

“The settlement of Gryanykivka, Kharkov region, was completely liberated”, said the Russian defence ministry, in a statement, referring to the Ukrainian village of Gryanykivka by its Russian name, as per AFP. Prior to the Russian invasion, the village was home to 600 people. Notably, the city near which the village of Gryanykivka has been on the frontlines in eastern Ukraine locals fear it can be taken over again as Russia has continued to attack several cities including Kupiansk and Bakhmut, said the Ukraine army, on Saturday.&nbsp;

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They added that Russian troops were “conducting offensive actions” in the two aforementioned cities and that Ukraine’s east is witnessing the longest and bloodiest battle of the conflict so far, as per media reports. Additionally, the Russian military spokesperson, Igor Konashenkov also claimed that Moscow’s army has “inflicted combat defeat” on Ukrainian troops near the eastern town of Vuhledar, reported AFP.&nbsp;

Notably, this was following a statement by the governor of the Luhansk province, in Ukraine’s east, who told local media that there has been an uptick in ground and air attacks from Russian forces. “Today it is rather difficult on all directions. There are constant attempts to break through our defence lines,” said the governor of Luhansk to local media, addressing the fighting near the city of Kreminna.&nbsp;

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Blasts hit western Ukraine&nbsp;

Meanwhile, officials in the western Ukrainian city of Khmelnytskyi, said that recent blasts have injured two civilians and shattered hundreds of windows after Moscow fired missiles from the Black Sea on Saturday. The mayor of the aforementioned Ukrainian city, Oleksandr Symchyshyn, in an interview with the national tv, said, “There are three damaged educational institutions, around ten damaged high-rise apartment blocks. Around five hundred windows and balconies have been destroyed”, as per Reuters.&nbsp;

Kyiv’s air force claimed that Russia launched four Kalibr missiles from the Black Sea out of which two were shot down by their defences while two explosions were heard in Khmelnytskyi which is over 250 km west&nbsp;of the Ukrainian&nbsp;capital. Air raid alerts were issued across Ukraine on Saturday morning while the authorities in eastern and southern regions were warned of potential precautionary power outages to limit the damage to energy grids in case of strikes.&nbsp;

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This follows reports of Moscow repeatedly targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure which has left millions without power, heating or water during the cold winter. However, these attacks have not been confirmed by the Russian authorities.&nbsp;

What is happening at the Munich Security Conference?

Amid the ongoing Munich Security Conference Ukraine’s western allies reaffirmed their support for the conflict-hit nation, on Saturday. Countries like the United States which has accused Russia of committing “crimes against humanity” in Ukraine and that it will support Kyiv “as long as it takes,” said Vice President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/munich-security-conference-kamala-harris-vows-support-to-ukraine-for-as-long-as-it-takes-563436">Kamala Harris</a>. Subsequently, United Kingdom Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/munich-conference-rishi-sunak-says-uk-to-provide-ukraine-with-long-range-weapons-calls-for-new-nato-charter-563450">Rishi Sunak</a> said that the country will always be on the side of “freedom, democracy and the rule of law,” while assuring Ukraine of its support. “Security of the European continent will always be our priority,” said Sunak.&nbsp;

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This also comes a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who addressed the security conference via a video link said that it is “obvious” that Kyiv would not be the last stop for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion. He added, “He’s going to continue his movement all the way...including all the other states that at some point in time were part of the Soviet bloc”. He also urged the West to maintain the speedy supply of weapons and said “delay has always been and still is a mistake”.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, on the same day, Russia accused the US of inciting Ukraine to escalate the war. “Now the American warmongers have gone even further: They incite the Kyiv regime to further escalate the war”, said Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, addressing the reporters at the security conference on Friday. She added that some US officials dreamed like “crazies” of defeating Moscow, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. The Russian military, in a statement on Saturday (February 18) claimed to have taken control of a village in the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv and said that it has been "completely liberated". This comes amid Moscow's ongoing invasion of Kyiv which began nearly a year ago. The small village in question is Hrianykivka near the key city of Kupiansk, in eastern Ukraine. “The settlement of Gryanykivka, Kharkov region, was completely liberated”, said the Russian defence ministry, in a statement, referring to the Ukrainian village of Gryanykivka by its Russian name, as per AFP. Prior to the Russian invasion, the village was home to 600 people. Notably, the city near which the village of Gryanykivka has been on the frontlines in eastern Ukraine locals fear it can be taken over again as Russia has continued to attack several cities including Kupiansk and Bakhmut, said the Ukraine army, on Saturday. ALSO READ | Russia expected to send spaceship to ISS in rescue mission to bring back three astronauts They added that Russian troops were “conducting offensive actions” in the two aforementioned cities and that Ukraine’s east is witnessing the longest and bloodiest battle of the conflict so far, as per media reports. Additionally, the Russian military spokesperson, Igor Konashenkov also claimed that Moscow’s army has “inflicted combat defeat” on Ukrainian troops near the eastern town of Vuhledar, reported AFP. Notably, this was following a statement by the governor of the Luhansk province, in Ukraine’s east, who told local media that there has been an uptick in ground and air attacks from Russian forces. “Today it is rather difficult on all directions. There are constant attempts to break through our defence lines,” said the governor of Luhansk to local media, addressing the fighting near the city of Kreminna. ALSO READ | LIVE Munich Security Conference: Harris says Russia committed 'crimes against humanity' in Ukraine Blasts hit western Ukraine Meanwhile, officials in the western Ukrainian city of Khmelnytskyi, said that recent blasts have injured two civilians and shattered hundreds of windows after Moscow fired missiles from the Black Sea on Saturday. The mayor of the aforementioned Ukrainian city, Oleksandr Symchyshyn, in an interview with the national tv, said, “There are three damaged educational institutions, around ten damaged high-rise apartment blocks. Around five hundred windows and balconies have been destroyed”, as per Reuters. Kyiv’s air force claimed that Russia launched four Kalibr missiles from the Black Sea out of which two were shot down by their defences while two explosions were heard in Khmelnytskyi which is over 250 km west of the Ukrainian capital. Air raid alerts were issued across Ukraine on Saturday morning while the authorities in eastern and southern regions were warned of potential precautionary power outages to limit the damage to energy grids in case of strikes. ALSO READ | More than 30,000 Wagner fighters died or suffered injuries in Ukraine war, claims US This follows reports of Moscow repeatedly targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure which has left millions without power, heating or water during the cold winter. However, these attacks have not been confirmed by the Russian authorities. What is happening at the Munich Security Conference? Amid the ongoing Munich Security Conference Ukraine’s western allies reaffirmed their support for the conflict-hit nation, on Saturday. Countries like the United States which has accused Russia of committing “crimes against humanity” in Ukraine and that it will support Kyiv “as long as it takes,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. Subsequently, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the country will always be on the side of “freedom, democracy and the rule of law,” while assuring Ukraine of its support. “Security of the European continent will always be our priority,” said Sunak. ALSO WATCH | US Vice President Kamala Harris addresses Munich Security Conference This also comes a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who addressed the security conference via a video link said that it is “obvious” that Kyiv would not be the last stop for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion. He added, “He’s going to continue his movement all the way...including all the other states that at some point in time were part of the Soviet bloc”. He also urged the West to maintain the speedy supply of weapons and said “delay has always been and still is a mistake”. Meanwhile, on the same day, Russia accused the US of inciting Ukraine to escalate the war. “Now the American warmongers have gone even further: They incite the Kyiv regime to further escalate the war”, said Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, addressing the reporters at the security conference on Friday. She added that some US officials dreamed like “crazies” of defeating Moscow, reported Reuters. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia claims capture of village in eastern Ukrainian region Kharkiv; 2 civilians injured in city near Kyiv

Hours after Russia's defence ministry announced on Saturday that the country was pulling back its troops from two areas in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed it to be a victory and talked down the Russians.

Hours after Russia's defence ministry announced on Saturday that the country was pulling back its troops from two areas in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed it to be a victory and talked down the Russians. Reportedly in a video post on Facebook, Zelensky gloated that the Russians were running scared ever since the Ukrainian soldiers gained access to a vital Russian supply hub. “These days, the Russian army is showing its best showing its back. And, in the end, it is a good choice for them to run away. There is and will be no place for the occupiers in Ukraine,” he said. The Ukrainian President further added that his troops had swept and liberated more than 2,000 square kilometres (770 square miles) of area since the month started. “The movement of our soldiers in different directions of the front continues. As of now, as part of active actions since the beginning of September, about 2,000 square kilometres (770 square miles) of our territory has already been liberated,” he said. × "I'm thankful to the troops of the 214th separate rifle battalion for securing the situation in Balakliya, who, together with units of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Special Operations Forces, special forces of the National Guard and the police, returned full control to the city. “I’m thankful to all our defenders, who during these weeks made the approach of our victory even more tangible!” Zelensky signed off as saying. As reported by WION, following the significant advances made by Ukrainian soldiers in Kharkiv, Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said the troops would be regrouped from the Balakliya and Izyum areas. Read more: Kharkiv: After Kyiv severs supply line, Russian grip on northeast Ukraine collapses "To achieve the stated goals of the Special Military Operation for the liberation of Donbas, it was decided to regroup the Russian troops located in the districts of Balakliia and Izium for the purpose of increasing efforts in the Donetsk direction," Russian defence ministry was quoted as saying by state-run news agency TASS. Since bursting through the frontline earlier this week, Ukrainian forces have recaptured dozens of towns and villages held by Russia for months. Marking Russia's biggest battlefield defeat since its forces were forced to abandon their assault on the capital Kyiv in March, the claim of pullback to concentrate on Donetsk is similar to the justification given by Kremlin for Ukraine's capital. Read more: Zelensky says some settlements near Kharkiv region retaken from Russian forces (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Russian army is doing what it does best, showing its back,' gloats Zelensky after Russia pullback

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (September 7) reported "good news" from the front near Kharkiv in the east, saying some settlements had been recaptured. Both sides have reported heavy fighting in the region. During the evening video address, Zelensky thanked Ukrainian artillery troops for "successful strikes" against the Russian forces in the south of Ukraine. Zelensky said, "This week we have good news from Kharkiv region" and "now is not the right time to name those settlements, where the Ukrainian flag has returned". According to the mayor of the city, Russian forces carried out two missile strikes in Kharkiv overnight. Ihor Terekhov posted on Telegram, saying that rockets hit the neighbourhoods of Saltovskoye and Kholodnogorsk at around midnight local time. As per the US-based think tank, The Institute for the Study of War, Ukraine has retaken 400 sq km of territory in the east of the Kharkiv region. After doing the latest assessment of the ground situation, the group said that, on September 7, the Ukrainian forces "likely used tactical surprise to advance at least 20km into Russian-held territory". The group also states that Ukraine was "likely exploiting Russian force reallocation" to the south to "conduct an opportunistic yet highly effective counteroffensive" to the northwest of the city of Izyum. The report further added that Russia had been forced to shift its focus on its forces in the south because of Ukraine's ongoing operations in the Kherson region. Of late, Ukraine has been waging a counter-offensive in the south of the country since last week, where it also claimed to recapture several villages. Kharkiv region has been partly occupied by Russian troops since the start of the invasion launched on February 24. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a combative speech on Wednesday (September 7) to an economic forum that Russia would not lose what he calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Putin said all Russia's actions were designed to strengthen the country's sovereignty and were aimed at "helping people" living in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Putin said, "We have not lost anything and will not lose anything. In terms of what we have gained, I can say that the main gain has been the strengthening of our sovereignty." Putin conceded, however, that Moscow's decision to send troops into Ukraine had created a "certain polarisation, both in the world and within the country." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Zelensky says some settlements near Kharkiv region retaken from Russian forces

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Russia intensifies ground assault in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, achieves ‘tactical success’

Russia claims capture of village in eastern Ukrainian region Kharkiv; 2 civilians injured in city near Kyiv

'Russian army is doing what it does best, showing its back,' gloats Zelensky after Russia pullback

Zelensky says some settlements near Kharkiv region retaken from Russian forces