Ukrainian troops are holding their positions in three areas of Vovchansk, while Russian forces are trying to break through the northern and central defense lines, Ukrainian Armed Forces spokesman Viktor Tregubov said on television, quoted by Ukrinform, BTA reported.
Late last month, Russia declared the city in Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine, captured.
"Ukrainian troops are deployed in the western, eastern and partly southern areas. The Russians are trying to advance from the north and through the center, as well as to surround the city," Tregubov said today. He warned that destruction in the city is reaching critical levels. "This is an active zone of military operations. Unfortunately, we are no longer discussing who controls the city, but who will control what is left of it," Tregubov stressed.
He also noted that Russian forces can quickly reinforce their troops thanks to the short logistical distance from the Russian border, which allows them to deploy new soldiers to replace losses.
Despite the ongoing fighting, Tregubov said that there are currently no indications that Russia is preparing a larger offensive along the northern border.
According to Ukrinform, a total of 139 clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces were recorded on the front line yesterday.
Earlier, the Russian news agency TASS reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a command post of the United Group of Forces on the evening of November 30, where he received reports, including on the capture of the cities of Krasnoarmeysk in the Donetsk region and Vovchansk in Kharkiv region.