We respond flexibly to all Russia’s moves — Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi on Kharkiv, Donetsk regions

Syrskyi's statement was posted on his official Telegram channel.

“We know the enemy's plans and respond flexibly to all its actions. All necessary measures are being taken to strengthen the defense and decisions are being made promptly, including personnel decisions,” the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Commander-in-Chief assured.

“This week the situation in the Kharkiv region has significantly escalated. Fighting is currently ongoing in the border areas along the state border with Russia. The situation is complicated, but the Ukrainian Defense Forces are doing everything to hold their defensive lines and positions and inflict damage on the enemy,” he described the situation in the northern part of the Kharkiv region.

The Commander-in-Chief noted that hot fighting continues in the Kupyansk, Siversk, Lyman and Pokrovsk directions.

“The situation is changing very dynamically. In some areas the enemy has partial success, in others Ukrainian Defense Forces are pushing the enemy out and improving their tactical position,” explained Oleksandr Syrskyi.

“In the Kramatorsk direction, Russian troops keep trying to capture Chasiv Yar and continue their offensive to the east of the town. They are trying unsuccessfully to regain the lost position near Klishchiivka. Despite the difficult situation at the front, units are being rotated to rest the troops and restore combat capability of the brigades,” added Commander-in-Chief.

Russian tactics in the northern Kharkiv region

On the night of May 12, journalist Yuriy Butusov and the DeepState monitoring project described Russia's tactics in the northern part of the Kharkiv region, where they broke through the state border with Ukraine on May 10.

“They (the occupiers - ed.) create pressure on a wide front and concentrate forces to attack individual defense nodes where they are organized. Ukrainian troops are also scattered on a wide front. The situation is difficult, Russian forces have the tactical initiative. But the Ukrainian front is getting stronger. There are problems in management and organization at the top command level, because not everything has been properly prepared and tested to repel the expected enemy offensive. They are trying to fix everything now. 

At the moment, there is no threat of an offensive on Kharkiv city, the Russians are far enough away, their forces are limited, and they are not advancing quickly. The Russian further advance depends on how heavy the Russians suffer in this border battle. But the enemy is testing the vigilance of Ukrainian defense and has the ability to maneuver reserves, and the threat should never be underestimated,” Butusov said.

DeepState's assessment of the situation is less optimistic.

“The situation keeps getting more complicated. The Russians are gradually bringing more and more forces to Ukrainian territory, infantry is constantly entering, moving in groups to settlements and trying to gain a foothold there, reinforce themselves and continue their advance. Small amounts of equipment, artillery, aviation, and UAVs and electronic warfare are working in support. Ukrainian Defense Forces are trying to stop Russian troops and inflict damage. It is necessary to pay more attention to this region and finally establish communication, or the enemy will have even greater success, which will lead to very negative consequences,” the authors of the project said.

Northern Kharkiv region: where the Russian troops are advancing

Currently, Russian forces are advancing into the border villages of the northern Kharkiv region, notably towards the large village of Lyptsi and the town of Vovchansk. These areas are experiencing constant shelling, and efforts are underway to complete the evacuation of the remaining civilians.

The Russian military breached the border at 5 a.m. on May 10, 2024.

As of 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, the Russian side officially reported the alleged full occupation of the Ukrainian border settlements of Borysivka, Ohirtseve, Pletenivka, Pylna, and Strilecha, Kharkiv region.

The Ukrainian side then named the same 5 villages and said that the fighting for them was still ongoing, but in the format of defense and counterattacks.

The villages of Strilecha, Pylna and Borysivka are located to the north of Lyptsi. Ohirtseve and Pletenivka are located to the north of the city of Vovchansk, Kharkiv region.

On the evening of May 11, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy named seven villages in the northern Kharkiv region where “our troops have been conducting counterattacks for two days now, defending Ukrainian territory:”

Strilecha, Krasne, Morokhovets, Oliinykove, Lukiantsi, Hatyshche, and Pletenivka.

There was also a report from the Hostri Kartuzy UAV company of the Omera National Guard special unit about the fighting for Hlyboke village, followed by Lyptsi.

On the afternoon of May 12, Nazar Voloshyn, a spokesman for the Khortytsia Operational and Strategic Grouping of troops, told the United News telethon that Russians were focusing their efforts on two areas in the northern Kharkiv region - Lyptsi and Vovchansk.

“Counterattacks continue in the areas of Lyptsi and Vovchansk, the Russians are using infantry and equipment there. Ukrainian defense is deployed there and is working effectively against the occupiers. Ukrainian reserve units are deployed where the enemy managed to advance,” emphasized Voloshyn.