Russian forces continue their ground advance into the Kharkiv region in eastern Ukraine. I am now inside the city of Vovchansk, about seventy kilometers from the regional capital. The fighting is fierce. Vovchansk is turning into a new Bakhmut, warns the police chief of the Kharkiv region, Volodymyr Tymoshko, denouncing how the city has been hit in recent days by an unprecedented wave of attacks (at least since 2022) – with even 250 bombs or even 500 kilos, capable of demolishing a multi-story building. The White House itself speaks of a “brutal” campaign by Russia and assures that there is a “constant” flow of US military supplies to its ally. But on the ground the Russians are gradually getting the better of the Ukrainian resistance, at least on a “tactical” level, Kiev sources admitted, while adding that 13 Russian attacks in the direction of Kharkiv were repelled on Monday. In the past few hours the military leaders have also replaced the commander in charge of operations in the region, as well as ensuring the sending of further reinforcements.
USA and NATO are pondering the response
The possibility that the army under Vladimir Putin’s orders will spread into the north-east seriously alarms both Volodymyr Zelensky’s government and its allies. Second Politic, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be in Ukraine in the next few days, perhaps as early as tomorrow. In an interview with the portal Breaking Defense meanwhile, the national security advisor to the Estonian president Madis Roll breaks the delay and says that the Tallinn government is “seriously” discussing the possibility of sending troops to western Ukraine. Roll said the Estonian government was looking into the matter and would prefer to do so as part of a NATO mission “to demonstrate strength and determination.”
