Ukrainian army stops Russian troops in Kharkiv sector, conducts counteroffensive - General Staff

Colonel Ihor Prokhorenko, a representative of the Main Operational Department of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff, said this at a briefing in Kyiv.

He noted that the situation at the front is complicated, the Defense Forces are holding the line in eastern and southern Ukraine, inflicting fire on the Russian troops. Fierce fighting continues almost along the entire front line.

"The main actions are taking place in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. As for the Kharkiv sector, the Russian army is conducting offensive operations to create a buffer zone. The enemy has been stopped, the situation is under control, and counteroffensive actions are underway," noted Colonel Ihor Prokhorenko.

According to him, the invading forces are also trying to advance in the eastern Kharkiv region and plan to bypass Kupyansk from the east, but without success.

The situation is under control in the Sumy and Chernihiv regions. Russia is amassing troops and launching air and artillery strikes on border settlements, using UAVs.

Colonel Prokhorenko added that the Ukrainian Defense Forces are aware of Russia's plans and are doing everything to disrupt them. In particular, they are taking measures to allocate reserves and firepower to seize the initiative on the battlefield, actively engaging artillery, aviation, and unmanned systems.

• According to the General Staff, as of 10 a.m. on May 24, Russians attempted to storm Ukrainian positions in the Kharkiv sector three times, and fighting continued in Hlyboke and Vovchansk.