Russian forces have captured Vilkhuvatka in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, Russia’s state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported Tuesday, citing the Russian Defence Ministry, as Moscow continues efforts to advance along the northeastern front.
Vilkhuvatka lies in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region, which has been a site of heavy fighting as Russian forces attempt to tighten their grip on northeast Ukraine. Ukrainian officials said Russian artillery, drones and guided bombs struck several settlements in the region.
Russian attempts to threaten Ukrainian positions near Kupiansk and other settlements along the northeastern front have been a feature of recent fighting. The area is still strategically important because of its proximity to the Russian border and the location of vital Ukrainian supply lines.
The reported capture comes as Russia continues to press on several sectors of the front and Ukraine continues to target Russian military and industrial targets with long-range drones.
There was no immediate indication that the reported Russian advance would change the broader front line in the Kharkiv region.
