Андрій Бєлоусов (Фото:Уряд РФ)
Despite Russian forces making significant tactical gains in northern Kharkiv region in early May, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has overstated the progress of Russian forces in Ukraine since the beginning of 2024.
This information comes from a new report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) published on Saturday, June 1.
Belousov claimed on May 31 that Russian forces had captured 880 square kilometers in 2024, but ISW found evidence that they had only taken about 752 square kilometers.
According to analysts, Russian forces had seized around 516 square kilometers from January 1 to April 29, 2024.
Situation in Kharkiv Region
On May 28, the Ukrainian General Staff stated that Russian army did not storm Kharkiv. Ukrainian troops were fortifying the defense and holding Russian invaders under fire control in the Kharkiv direction.
In an interview with Reuters, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov mentioned that the occupiers aim to open a new front in northern Ukraine, but a new front line in Kharkiv region has been stabilized.
On May 10, Russian occupiers attempted to break through Ukrainian defenses near Vovchansk in Kharkiv region. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a new wave of retaliatory actions on this front.
Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexander Sirsky reported that Russian forces had expanded the active combat zone by 70 km.
Monitoring resources reported the occupation of several villages in northern Kharkiv. The Russian breakthrough raised discussions about the adequacy of defenses in the north.
Zelensky stated that Ukrainian forces regained control of the Kharkiv region border, with losses estimated at eight enemy soldiers for every Ukrainian soldier.