KYIV: Russia launched a surprise ground offensive into Ukraine’s north-eastern Kharkiv region on Friday, making small advances into a border zone it was pushed back from nearly two years ago.

Civilians were told to flee and heavy fighting was reported as Ukraine’s outgunned army rushed in reinforcements to defend the region, which has been mostly under Ukrainian control since Sept 2022.

“Russia launched a new wave of counter-offensive actions in this area. Ukraine met them there with our troops, brigades and artillery … Now there is a fierce battle underway in this area,” President Volodymyr Zelensky told a briefing.

A high-ranking Ukrainian military source said Russia had advanced into Ukraine by one kilometre and was trying to “create a buffer zone” in both the Kharkiv and neighbouring Sumy regions to prevent attacks into Russian territory.

If the advance is confirmed, it would represent the Kremlin’s biggest land operation in that part of the battlefield since it sent thousands of troops across the border in Feb 2022.

Officials in Kyiv had for weeks warned Moscow might try and attack its north-eastern border regions, pressing its advantage as Ukraine struggles with delays in Western aid and manpower shortages.

Ukraine’s military said it had halted Russia in its tracks but that “fighting of varying intensity” was ongoing.

“Reserve units have been deployed to strengthen the defence in this area of the front,” it said.

Russia launched the attack before sunrise, breaking through Ukraine’s lines under the cover of armoured vehicles, according to Kyiv.

The Russian defence ministry has not provided any comment, but military bloggers reported Moscow had made inroads.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2024