“Coming period will be extremely difficult”: 92nd Brigade Commander on situation in Kharkiv region

This was stated by Yuriy Fedorenko, commander of the AHILLES battalion of the 92nd separate assault brigade named after Koshovyi Ataman Ivan Sirko, on Espreso TV.

“In the Kharkiv direction, the enemy has enough forces and means to test our defense line in those parts of the border where it has not yet conducted any attack and assault operations. This also applies to the enemy's reserves, which are sufficient to repel our assault operations. Therefore, the coming period will be extremely difficult. Perhaps the enemy will open another direction. The intelligence service and the Ukrainian Defense Forces are well aware of this. But with the full support of the Ukrainian nation, the Defense Forces will do their best. I am convinced that the enemy does not and will not be able to reach the administrative boundaries of Kharkiv. There may be some tactical successes, but after receiving the entire package of military assistance from the United States, the course of hostilities on the battlefield will change significantly in favor of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. We will be able to strike the enemy more intensively from a distance, on the approach to our forward positions,” he said.

Currently, fierce fighting is ongoing in the Vovchansk direction, says Fedorenko.

“The fighting is more fierce now. It is very important for the enemy to get into urban areas. The enemy realizes that then it will have a certain tactical success and potentially can talk about forming a bridgehead for further advance to the rear of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. That is why the fighting is not stopping now, neither day nor night. In the direction of Vovchansk, the enemy is actively trying to use aviation to strike our positions. However, the Defense Forces are holding back the enemy,” said the 92nd Brigade commander.

According to him, the situation in the Strilecha - Hlyboke area is almost completely stabilized.

“Combat activity continues, the unit is performing tasks in the Kharkiv direction. The enemy got a fairly decent rebuff. Speaking about the section of the frontline in the area of Strilecha - Hlyboke, where the enemy crossed the state border and initially had partial success, the situation is almost completely stabilized. The Defense Forces are driving the enemy out of the advanced positions they have managed to take. A few days ago, a reconnaissance battalion of the 92nd Assault Brigade, together with the Special Operations Forces and the Achilles battalion, cleared several houses. We managed to kill a machine gunner who was holding back our assault infantry and inflicted additional significant damage. The enemy who was resisting was eliminated. The occupiers who surrendered, in accordance with all international law, were taken prisoner, received medical care and will be exchanged for our guys who are now in Russian captivity. This work is being carried out systematically,” said Fedorenko.

• As of May 20, Ukrainian forces control 60% of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region, despite ongoing Russian offensives. Kharkiv regional military administration reports that intense battles are ongoing for every house and street.