Ukrainian Army Relocates Positions in Kharkiv Under Heavy Russian Fire

On Tuesday, the Ukrainian army announced that in response to Russian advances and heavy artillery fire, it has moved its forces to new positions in the northern Kharkiv region. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated: "Units of the army that were stationed in specific areas of the Lukiantsy and Vuchansk regions have been relocated to safer positions due to the enemy's heavy fire, in order to preserve the lives of our soldiers." The Ukrainian military intelligence had previously indicated that it appears the country's forces are stabilizing their positions after a Russian ground attack in the Kharkiv area. However, it warned about the gathering of Russian troops in northern Ukraine near the Sumy region. Kharkiv is the second-largest city in Ukraine. Local officials have stated that there is currently no threat to the city, but Russian advances from the border of this province continue. The Russian attacks, which had been assessed to occur in mid-spring, began at a time when the Ukrainian army has been forced to make successive withdrawals in some battlefields. The reasons for the steady but quiet Russian advances include a larger number of military personnel and having more ammunition and equipment.