Russian Forces Continue to Advance on Northeastern Ukraine, Raising Fears for Kharkiv

As of March 5th, Russian forces have intensified their advance into northeastern Ukraine, creeping closer to a village just 10 miles from the outer ring of Kharkiv. The proximity of this advancement has sparked concerns as it puts Ukraine’s second-largest city within striking distance of Russian artillery.

The Ukrainian Army reported that on the same day, Russian troops attempted to breach their defenses near the village of Lyptsi, located directly north of Kharkiv. While the Ukrainian forces successfully repelled the attacks, reports from independent analysts indicate that Russian troops have almost reached the outskirts of the village.

Resistance from the Khartia Brigade

Defending the village of Lyptsi, the Khartia Brigade shared a video on Friday via Telegram, depicting Russian soldiers advancing on foot and launching small group attacks between tree lines. The brigade claimed to have countered the advance by targeting the Russian troops with rockets, ultimately compelling them to retreat.

This escalation follows the opening of a new front by Russian forces in Ukraine's northeast a week ago. This incursion saw Russian troops swiftly capturing approximately 10 settlements, a move believed to be a strategic effort to strain Ukraine's already outnumbered forces.