Ukraine says Russia has launched an assault to breach defenses in northeastern Kharkiv

By ILLIA NOVIKOV
Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Authorities say Russia has pounded a town in Ukraine’s northeast with artillery, rockets and guided aerial bombs before attempting an infantry breach of local defenses. It’s a tactical switch that Kyiv officials have been expecting for weeks as the war stretches into its third year. Officials said Friday that intense nighttime shelling targeted Vovchansk, in the Kharkiv region and less than 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the Russian border. The barrage prompted authorities to begin the evacuation of around 3,000 people. Around dawn Russian forces tried to pierce the Ukrainian defenses near Vovchansk, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said, adding that it had deployed reserve units to fend off the attack.