Russia gained a foothold in Kharkiv, capturing several border villages

Ukraine's governor, Oleg Sinigubov, said via the Telegram app on Saturday that Ukraine has repelled a number of attacks on a number of towns along the border with Russia in the Kharkiv region in the past 24 hours.

Nearly 2,000 people were evacuated from the area.

According to the Ukrainian The Defense Command carries out Russian sabotage acts by bombing populated areas and building minefields. At the same time, they are bringing infantry and heavy equipment from Russia.

Ukrainian forces are “operating from prepared positions” because they have intelligence information about the possibility of an attack.

Ukraine still believes the operation is still limited, but the city of Kharkiv is the target of a larger attack expected later this summer.

American Research Center ISWHe estimates that the Russians gained a foothold in the Kharkiv region through Friday's attack.

Russia probably captured the cities of Streltja, Krasin and Borisivka. At Vovtjansk, the Russians penetrated at least one kilometre. The ISW website also refers to information from journalists on the ground who reported that the Russians were occupying an area five kilometers deep and ten kilometers wide.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement that reinforcements were being sent to Kharkiv and Tjasyv Yar.

According to ISW it can This is believed to be part of the goal of the Russian incursion, which is to divide Ukrainian defenses and weaken the front in the east, where very heavy fighting is taking place.