The Ukrainian prosecution team has started probing assaults on regular people in two urban areas in Kharkiv’s northeastern part, as announced by the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy. On Saturday, he reported that Ukrainian soldiers had achieved some success in quelling a new attack by Russia in this region.
Boasting clear confidence among Ukrainian troops, particularly in Kharkiv, Zelenskiy remained hopeful. In contrast, the Russian defence department stated that its troops had seized Starytsia, a village in the Kharkiv region. This happened eight days post the initiation of a fresh Russian offensive in this area.
Discussing Russia’s previously anticipated quick progress on Ukrainian soil, akin to the situation in 2022, Zelenskiy pointed to tangible losses. He cited losses in their infantry and equipment. The Ukrainian president, speaking of the anxious situation in Chasiv Yar, a city in the Donetsk region and a significant target for Russia, mentioned that the Ukrainian forces had successfully thwarted a Russian attack. He claimed, “More than 20 of the invader’s armoured vehicles were demolished by our soldiers.”
Though these claims lack independent verification, Ukrainian prosecuting authorities unveiled an inquiry into an air assault. This was on a residential sector of Kharkiv, the capital of the region. It resulted in injuries to five civilians, particularly a teenager aged 13 and a boy of 16.
Unrest was also reported in the city of Vovchansk, close to the Russian border, where an elderly 60-year old woman was killed. In addition, the region’s prosecutor mentioned three other civilians were hurt due to Russian bombing. In the village of Ukrainske, a man aged 59 was also reported injured.
Moscow has dismissed allegations of intentionally targeting ordinary citizens. Charges have been raised following the extensive human toll, with numerous fatalities and injuries occurring since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
To counter Russia’s renewed aggression, Ukraine has introduced a law mobilising troops. This law, albeit diluted from its original proposition, is designed to aid the enlistment process. The law also stipulates incentives such as monetary perks or housing and car finance assistance, despite questions about Ukraine’s financial capacity to support these measures.
The lawmakers in Ukraine stalled for many months before they eventually enacted the legislation in the middle of April. This happened a week subsequent to Ukraine’s decision to decrease the eligible drafting age for males from 27 to 25. These actions underscore the escalating burden that over two years of conflict with Russia has imposed on the Ukrainian military. They’re endeavouring to maintain their position at the front lines despite the fact that this continuous combat has considerably depleted the nation’s supplies of arms and ammunition, and also their number of soldiers.