Governor: Russia widens Kharkiv front in Ukraine
KYIV – Russia pressed its ground assault into Ukraine’s Kharkiv region on Monday, attacking new areas with small groups to try to widen the front and stretch Ukraine’s forces, the regional governor said.
Moscow’s troops entered Ukraine near Kharkiv on Friday, opening a new, northeastern front in a war that has for almost two years been largely fought in the east and south. The advance could draw some of Kyiv’s depleted forces away from the east, where Russia has been slowly advancing.
“The enemy is trying to deliberately stretch it (the front line), attacking in small groups, but in new directions, so to speak,” Governor Oleh Syniehubov said in televised comments.
“The situation is difficult.”
A day after the Russian offensive began, Ukraine appointed Brig. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi to take command of the Kharkiv front, the media outlet Rbc-ukraine reported.
Ukraine is on the defensive after a monthslong slowdown in supplies of Western, especially American, military aid that has left Russia with an even greater advantage in manpower and munitions.
In the northeast, Russia’s forces were pushing in several directions, including near the town of Vovchansk and also towards the village of Lyptsi, Syniehubov said.
Kyiv’s forces were managing to hold Moscow’s troops back but there was a real threat that the fighting could spread to new settlements, he warned.
Syniehubov said about 5,700 people had been evacuated from in and around Vovchansk and urged the remaining residents, said by local officials to number about 300, to leave.
EU draws up long-term security commitments to Ukraine
The European Union has drawn up pledges of long-term security support for Ukraine, assuring Kyiv of more weapons, military training and other aid for years to come, according to a draft document.
The draft, first reported by Germany’s Welt am Sonntag newspaper over the weekend, sets out EU security commitments to Ukraine, which officials hope to conclude in June or July.
In the event of “future aggression,” the document says the EU and Ukraine intend to consult within 24 hours and “swiftly determine” next steps in line with the commitments.
The document is part of a broader effort by Ukraine’s partners to provide assurances that they will stand by Kyiv for the long haul, with no end in sight to the war against Russia’s invasion and no immediate prospect of EU or NATO membership.
“Building on existing support, the European Union’s security commitments include predictable, long-term and sustainable support for Ukraine’s security and defense,” says the draft, dated April 12 and seen by Reuters.
Ambassadors from the EU’S 27 member countries discussed the text in Brussels last month and it is now the basis of discussions with Ukraine, according to diplomats.
Eight of Kyiv’s allies, including Britain and EU members such as Germany and France, have signed their own security assurances with Ukraine in recent months.