The claims contradict those made by Russian officials.
Ukrainian forces have secured “combat control” of areas where Russian troops entered the north-eastern Kharkiv region earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Vovchansk has been a flashpoint for fighting since Russia launched an offensive in the Kharkiv region on May 10.Mr Vodolatskiy was also quoted as saying that, once Vovchansk was secured, Russian forces would target the cities of Sloviansk, Kramatorsk and Pokrovsk in the neighbouring Donetsk region.
The city of Kharkiv, which is the capital of the region of the same name, is about 12 miles from the Russian border. Moscow’s troops have in recent weeks captured villages in the area as part of a broad push, and analysts say they may be trying to get within artillery range of the city.
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