Russian forces persist in making headway across the northern region of Ukraine, according to Sunday morning reports. A series of smaller bordersettlements are now under Russian control, with Ukrainian soldiers abandoning long-held positions.
“Today, during heavy fighting, our defenders were forced to withdraw from a few more of their positions, and today, another settlement has come completely under Russian control,” said Hostri Kartuzy, a Ukrainian special forces unit. “The Russians are dying in droves. But they are pressing on regardless and succeeding in some areas.”
Russian troops are moving further into Ukraine, posing a threat to a few small towns on the periphery of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city.
The recent Russian offensive, launched unexpectedly on Friday, involves fighter jets, artillery units, infantry, and armor. These forces have been rapidly crossing the northeastern border between Russia and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, cross-border fire continues to escalate in the area. On Sunday, Russia accused Ukraine of hitting a multi-story building in the Russian city of Belgorod, located approximately 45 miles from Kharkiv. Russian state-run news outlet, TASS, reported a presumed casualty count of 17, though the number of deaths remains to be specified.