Russia massing another troop grouping on Ukraine's northern border – Zelenskyy

According to him, Russia is constantly trying to expand the war. These days, Ukrainian fighters 60 kilometers northeast of Kharkiv are defending themselves against another attempt of a Russian offensive, Zelenskyy added.

"Russia is preparing to attempt offensive actions, and 90 kilometers from here [from Kharkiv] to the northwest, another troop grouping is gathering near our border," the president said.

Russian offensive on Kharkiv Oblast

The Russians launched a new offensive in the northeast on May 10. Oleksandr Lytvynenko, the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, said that a grouping of over 30,000 Russian soldiers is advancing in the north of Kharkiv Oblast. In total, 50,000 Russian troops are concentrated on the border with the Ukrainian region.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on May 24 that Ukrainian troops are pushing the Russians away from the defense lines in the north of Kharkiv Oblast. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian troops took combat control of the border of the Kharkiv Oblast, where the invasion forces entered.

Zelenskyy believes that the May offensive of the Russians in Kharkiv Oblast may be only the first wave of broader attacks.

A number of mass media, citing their own sources, reported that against the background of the Russian offensive on Kharkiv Oblast, the commander of the Kharkiv operational troop grouping was changed. Instead of Brigadier General Yuriy Halushkin, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Mykhailo Drapatyi was appointed to this position.