Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that the Russian army has significantly advanced in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine in recent days.

“The Russian Armed Forces are advancing every day in the Kharkiv region. This is a very important area,” Putin said during a meeting with military commanders.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian troops have gained control over several settlements in the Kharkiv region over the past week, including the village of Kislovka.

Ukrainian authorities have not confirmed the loss of control over these territories. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that fighting continues in the area.

Military experts note that the offensive in the Kharkiv region could be part of a larger Russian operation aimed at creating a buffer zone along the border.

Western analysts estimate that Russia has concentrated up to 30,000 troops in the Kharkiv direction.

Map of the Kharkiv region showing the front line

Kharkiv

Kharkiv is a major city in northeastern Ukraine, known as a key cultural, scientific, and industrial hub. Founded in 1654 as a fortress, it became a center of the Sloboda Ukraine region and served as the first capital of Soviet Ukraine from 1919 to 1934. The city has a rich history of education and innovation, though it has faced significant destruction during World War II and the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.