Russian troops are assembling a new grouping near the border 90 kilometres northwest of Kharkiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address to world leaders.
"It is Russia that is the only source of aggression and is constantly trying to expand the war. Literally now, these days, we are defending ourselves 60 kilometres northeast of this place from another Russian offensive attempt.
Russia is preparing for an offensive 90 kilometres northwest of here - another group of troops is gathering near our border. Whoever is doing all this does not want peace.
Does Russia want dialogue? Ukraine has the world's largest experience of deception by Russia in negotiations. Deception, which, in particular, was Russia's cover for the preparation of this war," the President said in his address.
The President states that "there is no nation that can stop such a war on its own. We need the participation of the world's leaders”.
“Right now, these days, we are defending ourselves 60 kilometres northeast of this place from another Russian offensive attempt. Russia is preparing for an offensive and 90 kilometres northwest of here, another group of troops is gathering near our border. The one who does all this does not want peace," Zelenskyy said.
Situation in the Kharkiv Region
- On 10 May, Russian troops crossed the border into Ukraine in the north of Kharkiv Region. The battle for Vovchansk is currently underway. The city is under heavy fire, and evacuations continue from the city and nearby settlements.
- According to the General Staff, the Russian army has deployed significant forces to attack the city, consisting of up to five battalions, and is not counting its own losses. The situation is described as complex and dynamic.
- On 23 May, Russia massively attacked Kharkiv and the Region. In total, they used nine missiles to strike Kharkiv and six missiles to strike the Region. Civilian targets were hit. Seven people were killed and 20 wounded in the strikes on the city.
- On 25 May, two KABs hit civilian commercial infrastructure - a construction hypermarket. A fire broke out over an area of 10,000 square metres and was extinguished at 17.45. The attacks resulted in casualties and injuries.
- The CCD noted that through the massive shelling of Kharkiv, Russia is trying to persuade Ukraine to negotiate in order to freeze the war and build up forces for a new war at the right time and occupy more of our territories.