May 10: E-Stories
Kharkiv--president Zelensky--Kremlin File Week in Review
Kremlin File Week in Review
Olga and I touch on all the stories that the most impactful Russian-related news stories affecting Ukraine, Europe, and the United States. Delve into the headlines often overlooked, which shed light on Russia's aggressions, intelligence activities, assassinations, espionage, and beyond.
We also talk briefly about Kharkiv and the Russian offensive, as well as Russia’s political warfare in Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and in Europe.
You can also listen to it on your preferred podcast platform.
Kharkiv
Russia has been building up its troop presence near Kharkiv this winter, and various analysts concurred that this was going to be the next front. Its open terrain is amenable to offensive armoured attacks. Since January, the Russians had been preparing the terrain, striking civilian targets, and destroying infrastructure.
They’ve been able to increase their forces and capabilities simply because we didn’t send them the lethal weapons they needed in time. Last winter the same thing happened: the Russians were able to build up defences along the line, which have proven difficult for Ukraine’s offensive action.
Let’s get to what happened on Friday.
Russian forces launched a limited armoured attack on Friday near Ukraine’s second city of Kharkiv. These were most likely probing forces. Ukraine defence ministry said on Friday that it has sent military reinforcements to help repel Russian attacks in border areas of the Kharkiv.
It added that Russian troops tried to break through with armoured vehicles in the early morning but were beaten back, Reuters reported. The ministry said:
At approximately 5 am, there was an attempt by the enemy to break through our defensive line under the cover of armoured vehicles.
As of now, these attacks have been repulsed; battles of varying intensity continue.
Russia had pounded the frontier town of Vovchansk with guided aerial bombs and artillery. In Vovchansk authorities said they were helping civilians evacuate from the settlement and surrounding areas due to the heavy shelling.
A senior Ukrainian military source who declined to be named said Russian forces had pushed 1 km (0.6 mile) inside the Ukrainian border near Vovchansk.The source said Russian forces were aiming to push Ukrainian troops as far back as 10 km (6.2 miles) inside Ukraine as part of an effort to create a buffer zone, but that Kyiv’s troops were trying to hold them back. It is also reported that many Russians were killed in the attack.
Ukraine destroyed all 10 drones as Russia launched an overnight attack, but two people were injured and residential buildings in the Kharkiv region were consumed by fire as a result of the attack, Ukrainian officials said on Friday. Moscow denies targeting civilians in what it said are legitimate strikes on Ukraine’s military, energy and transport infrastructure.
This evening, the Ukrainian general staff confirms that Russian forces are building up troops and are carrying out recon operations on the border with the Sumy region.
President Zelensky’s evening address
Today, Russian forces attempted to expand their operations against Ukraine in the Kharkiv region. We know the size of the occupiers' forces and their intentions. Our warriors, artillery, and drones are fighting back against the occupier.
I thank each soldier, sergeant, and officer who is defending our positions. We are strengthening Kharkiv directions. Along the state border and on the frontlines, we will continue to destroy the occupiers and thwart Russia's offensive intentions.
It is critical that partners support our warriors and Ukrainian resilience with timely deliveries. Truly timely ones. A package that truly helps is the actual delivery of weapons to Ukraine, rather than just the announcement of a package.
I thank every leader who sees the situation this way. We also continue to actively prepare for the Global Peace Summit. Our goal is to ensure that every leader can demonstrate effectiveness for the sake of the common good. I am confident we will succeed.
And we must acknowledge that this is precisely what Russia is attempting to undermine right now. The more meaningful the summit, the closer peace will be. Putin obviously does not want it. It is also clear that he will continue to try to thwart our efforts, both through offensive action and by undermining our agreements with other leaders. We must not allow this to happen and we will make every effort in this regard.
Kharkiv tonight
The air raid alert in Kharkiv region has lasted continuously for 12.5 hours today. It was announced at 9.03 am. According to local blogs, this is the longest air raid alert in the region since the beginning of the full-scale war.
Maria Avdeeva: While orcs are attacking and the air raid lasts for a record 11 hours, the Kharkiv Music Festival carries on just 30 km away.
Olga and I spoke with Maria two months ago and she had told us that Ukrainians in Kharkiv felt the same sensation of fear and impending attack as they had in February 2022.