ISTANBUL

Ukraine’s commander-in-chief on Sunday said the situation on the frontline with Russia in the northeastern Kharkiv region has “significantly worsened” during the past week.

“This week, the situation in Kharkiv Oblast has significantly worsened. Currently, there are ongoing battles in areas along the state border with the Russian Federation,” Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Telegram.

Expressing that the situation is “difficult,” Syrskyi said defense forces are doing everything to hold defensive lines and positions, as well as inflict damage on Russian forces.

He said fierce clashes are continuing in the directions of Kupiansk, Siversk, Lyman and Pokrovsk, and that the situation is changing “very dynamically.”

“In some areas, the enemy has partial success, in others - the defense forces push the enemy out and improve their tactical position,” he added.

The commander said Russia continues its attempts to seize the city of Chasiv Yar, and is also trying to restore its lost position near Klishchiivka.

“Despite the difficult situation at the front, units are being rotated for the rest of the servicemen and the restoration of the fighting capacity of the brigades,” he said.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry on Friday said Russian forces attempted to break through the country’s defenses in the Kharkiv region, opening a new front in the over two-year-long conflict that is focused in the country’s east and south.​​​​​​​