Russian occupation forces have significantly intensified their operations along the entire Kharkiv sector, with the fiercest battles occurring in Lyptsi, Vovchansk, and Dvorichna.
Pavlo Shamshyn, spokesperson for the Kharkiv Operational Tactical Group, said this on Ukrainian television, Ukrinform reports.
“I can confirm that on May 1, Russian forces significantly escalated their operations in the Kharkiv sector. Over the past day, eight combat engagements were recorded—an unusually high number—indicating intensified enemy activity along the entire frontline. Battles occurred in Lyptsi, in Vovchansk, where Russian forces have traditionally been highly active, and in Dvorichna, where Russians continue to move infantry across the Oskil River. Regarding Vovchansk, the city has suffered extreme devastation. It has virtually ceased to exist—it is now a total ruin, with not a single surviving building,” the official stated.
According to him, Russian forces are primarily using underground communications and basements to amass troops for continued assault operations.
In Vovchansk, the front line now runs along the Vovcha River, where all enemy attempts to cross have been repelled and resulted in their destruction, the spokesman noted.
Meanwhile, Russian troops persistently shell Vovchansk using artillery, MLRS, heavy flamethrower systems, and drones, while continuing their efforts to advance across the Oskil River.
Russian troops have continued their operations in the Dvorichna area, aiming to hold and expand their foothold on the right bank of the Oskil River to pose a direct threat to Kupiansk from the north. On May 1, Russian forces were particularly active in Topoli, Kamianka, and Novovasylivka, reinforcing their intentions.
“We believe the Russians will not abandon their attempts to set up pontoon crossings across the Oskil River. Without proper logistical support, maintaining operations on the right bank is extremely difficult. They understand that to create a real threat to Kupiansk from the north, they need reliable crossings,” the military spokesperson stated.
According to Shamshyn, the Defense Forces have repeatedly destroyed Russian pontoon crossings, but the enemy continues its attempts to cross the river.
“We can see that the Russians will persist in transferring infantry groups to the right bank of the Oskil and in threatening Kupiansk from the north. However, we believe this could turn into a trap for them—while they have established a bridgehead, maintaining their presence requires constant troop movement, which we are successfully targeting,” he emphasized.
Responding to a question on Russian casualties in April, the military spokesman confirmed that Russian forces suffered significant losses in the Kharkiv sector.
“In April, Russian troops lost around 2,000 personnel, including 900 irrecoverable losses—those who can no longer return to combat. The remainder were wounded. Our units also captured 12 occupiers,” he stated.
Additionally, Russian forces lost more than 2,400 pieces of weapons and military equipment, according to the spokesman.
As Ukrinform reported, the Russian army’s total combat losses from February 24, 2022 to May 2, 2025 in the war against Ukraine amounted to about 954,300 troops, including 1,110 invaders killed or wounded over the past day.
Source: Enemy intensifies operations in Kharkiv sector – Defense Forces
