In a critical escalation on Ukraine's northeastern front, Russian troops have made significant advances in the Kharkiv region, expanding the combat zone by approximately 70 kilometers.
Ukrainian Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi warned of imminent "heavy battles" as Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the establishment of a "buffer zone" to protect Russia's border regions.
The offensive, which began last Friday, has strained Ukrainian defences, already stretched thin over a sprawling front.
During a visit to China, Putin linked the offensive to ongoing Ukrainian shelling of Russian border areas, justifying the creation of the buffer zone.
A recent Russian missile strike in Kharkiv killed two and injured 25, highlighting the conflict's toll.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Ukrainian forces have stabilized the front despite losing control of 12 villages.
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