War in Ukraine: Russian counter-offensive in Kharkiv, “fierce battle”, Prime Minister in Moscow… update on the situation

Au moins deux personnes dont un enfant ont été blessés par les tirs de missiles russes près de Kharkiv. MAXPPP – SERGEY KOZLOV

La journée de ce vendredi 10 mai a été marquée par une contreattaque russe dans la région de Kharkiv, où les forces ukrainiennes ont envoyé des renforts.

The Russian army launched a ground offensive on Friday morning, with reinforcements of armored vehicles, in the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv (north-east), advancing a kilometer near Vovtchansk, a border town in the region Belgorod, reports the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.

"Around 5:00 a.m., the enemy attempted to break through our defense lines with armored vehicles. At this time, these attacks have been repelled. Fighting of varying intensity continues." The authorities of the small border town of Vovchansk, which had 17,000 inhabitants before the war, said they were helping civilians evacuate the city ​​due to Russian artillery shelling.

Reinforcements sent from both sides

Reacting to this offensive anticipated for months, President Volodimir Zelensky declared that the Ukrainian army had prepared to repel it, while warning that Russia could decide to send reinforcements . "A fierce battle is underway" he said on social media, adding that Ukrainian forces have "answered the enemy with fire".

According to a Ukrainian military source, the Russian army's ambition is to push back Kyiv's forces to within ten kilometers of the border, after having been driven out of the region of Kharkiv by a lightning Ukrainian counter-offensive in the summer of 2022. Russia has repeatedly said it wants to create a "buffer zone" north of the city of Kharkiv, located around thirty kilometers from the border and daily target of its bombardments.

A drone attack in the night

Moscow says it wants to reduce Ukrainian strikes targeting Belgorod and prevent embarrassing incursions on its territory by Russian fighters rallied to Kyiv. Kharkiv was once again the target of a drone attack during the night from Thursday to Friday. According to Ukrainian authorities, the ten drones launched by Moscow were intercepted but two people were injured and several houses destroyed or damaged by a fire caused by falling debris.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia also fired two missiles towards the large city in northeastern Ukraine. Oleh Sinehoubov, governor of the Kharkiv region, said the Russian attack had targeted both infrastructure and residential neighborhoods.

400 million dollars in American aid

Under pressure for several months in the east of the country, the Ukrainian army is still awaiting the arrival of military aid promised by its European allies and American. In addition to ammunition and anti-aircraft missiles that they urgently need, the Ukrainians are counting on the first deliveries of F-16 fighters to challenge the air supremacy of Russia, which is increasing bombings using guided bombs to allow his troops to advance.

A Ukrainian military source said Friday he expected a first batch of the dozen or so American-made fighter jets promised by countries like Denmark, the Netherlands or Belgium, are delivered to Kyiv in June or July.

For its part, Washington announced this Friday aid of 400 million dollars in the form of equipment and training aid.

Mikhaïl Michoustine reappointed

In Moscow, Vladimir Putin reappointed Mikhail Michoustine as Prime Minister on Friday, the choice of continuity for the Russian president who has relied on this discreet technocrat since 2020. The appointment of Mishustin, 58, had previously been approved by the Duma, the lower house of the Russian Parliament. The Russian government submitted its resignation, as provided for in the Constitution, before the inauguration of Vladimir Putin, on May 7, for a fifth term at the head of the Kremlin.

The Russian president, who was re-elected on March 17 with 87.28% of the votes, had proposed the reappointment of Mikhail Mishustin. The government, whose formation is upcoming, is not expected to undergo significant changes. Sergei Shoigu, in charge of Defense since 2012, should keep his post, as will Sergei Lavrov, head of diplomacy. Mikhail Michoustine must present his proposals to Vladimir Putin and to Parliament. A vote on the deputy prime ministers is scheduled for May 13, on the ministers on May 14