Russia announced that its forces had seized five border villages in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, where an offensive was initiated. Russia exploited its growing advantage on the battlefields of eastern Ukraine.

During its briefing, the Defence Ministry reported that Russian forces had captured the villages of Pletenivka, Ohirtseve, Borysivka, Pylna, and Strilechna, all situated directly on the Russian border.

The briefing additionally indicated that Russian troops had seized the village of Keramik in the Donetsk region further south. Moscow has been making gradual progress in this area since capturing the long-held Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka back in February.

Ukrainian officials reported that Russia had initiated a fresh cross-border offensive targeting the Kharkiv region, centred around Kharkiv city, Ukraine's second-largest urban centre.

Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that Russia continued its assaults in the Kharkiv region and was attempting to make further advances.

In February 2022, Russian forces initiated an attack on the Kharkiv region but they were largely expelled from the majority of the province following a swift Ukrainian counter-offensive in September of the same year.

Ukrainian drone and artillery strikes have become commonplace in Russia's neighbouring Belgorod region.

In March, Russian President Vladimir Putin was questioned about the possibility of Russian forces needing to seize the Kharkiv region. He responded by stating that the establishment of a buffer zone was necessary to protect Russian territory from potential strikes by Ukrainian forces, thereby placing Moscow's territory beyond the range of Kyiv's forces.

Russia currently holds approximately 18% of Ukraine's territory, primarily in the eastern and southern regions. Since the unsuccessful counter-offensive by Kyiv in 2023, Russian forces have been steadily advancing, particularly in areas where they are entrenched.

Image source: The Economic Times