Ukraine war: Zelensky replaces commander on Kharkiv frontline, urges calm as Russia advances
- Russian military says it has seized control of at least nine border villages in the Kharkiv region
- Ukraine president says situation ‘extremely difficult’ on edges of Vovchansk as fighting rages
The Ukrainian commander responsible for the northeastern Kharkiv frontline was replaced during the Russian offensive, a military command said on Monday.
The Khortytsia military command told RBC-Ukraine media that the decision to appoint Brigadier General Mykhailo Drapatyi to the position was taken on May 11. No reason was given.
Russian troops launched an offensive at the region’s border early on May 10.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky called on his people not to panic amid Russia’s ongoing advance in the Kharkiv region that’s jeopardising a local city.
Ukrainians should trust in their army defending the country’s northeastern border area and not “yield to emotions” despite the fierce fight there and the “extremely difficult” situation on the outskirts of Vovchansk, Zelensky said in his regular evening statement on Sunday.
Along with several other towns and villages, Vovchansk – a city located only several kilometres from the border with Russia – is under constant fire from advancing Russian troops, according to local authorities who initiated a mass evacuation.