Ukraine has drawn back troops near several villages in the northeastern Kharkiv region, where Russian forces have been advancing and storming through settlements along the border, Kyiv has announced.
Moscow launched a surprise ground assault on Ukraine’s second-largest city last week, as the war-ravaged country struggled to hold back the incursion with fast dwindling arms and manpower.
“In some areas, around Lukyantsi and Vovchansk, in response to enemy fire and assaults from ground troops, and to save the lives of our servicemen and avoid losses, our units manoeuvered and moved to more advantageous positions,” the Ukrainian military said late Tuesday.
Both sides have consistently used the language of moving to more “advantageous positions” to signpost retreats.
The northeastern villages – around 30 km apart – are close to the border with Russia, forging a fresh offensive in the war that has long been waged in the east and south.
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