Zelensky performed down Russia’s positive aspects within the offensive (File)

Rome, Italy:

Practically 10,000 individuals have been pressured to depart their houses in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv area since a floor assault launched by Russian forces on Could 10, its governor stated Saturday.

The assault could solely be the primary wave of a wider offensive, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky informed AFP.

Over per week after its launch, “a complete of 9,907 individuals have been evacuated,” governor Oleg Synegubov stated.

They had been fleeing Russian troopers who managed to advance between 5 to 10 kilometres (three to 6 miles) alongside the northeastern border earlier than being stopped by Ukrainian forces.

Synegubov stated Ukraine’s armed forces had repelled two makes an attempt to interrupt by means of defences in a single day.

The state of affairs was “beneath management” with “defenders in sure areas conducting assault… and brushing operations.”

Moscow has been attacking a number of settlements together with Vovchansk, simply 5 kilometres from the border.

“Within the space of the town of Vovchansk, Ukrainian troops are reinforcing their defence,” Synegubov stated.

There are about 100 individuals left within the metropolis the place “heavy combating” is happening, he added later.

Russian forces have taken 278 sq. kilometres (107 sq. miles) between Could 9 and 15, their greatest positive aspects for the reason that finish of 2022, AFP calculated utilizing information from the Institute for the Examine of Struggle (ISW).

Russia’s offensive “might consist in a number of waves. There was the primary wave” within the Kharkiv area, Zelensky informed AFP journalists.

Zelensky performed down Russia’s positive aspects within the offensive however added: “We have now to be sober and perceive that they’re going deeper into our territory. Not vice versa. And that is nonetheless their benefit.”

Talking concerning the offensive throughout a go to to China on Friday, President Vladimir Putin stated it was a response to Ukraine shelling Russian border areas.

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