Ukrainian forces strike Russian-held hospital in fierce Kharkiv battle
Ukraine attacked Russian forces near Kharkiv, with recordings of a massive attack on a hospital in Vovchansk, where occupiers were hiding, being circulated on Telegram channels.
1:51 PM EDT, May 18, 2024
The central hospital in Vovchansk, which was occupied by Russian forces, was attacked from the air by Ukrainian forces. According to reports, dozens of Russian soldiers were inside the building, which was hit by guided bombs.
Earlier, the Russian army had taken over this hospital, killing civilians and setting up their base there.
Recordings of the attack are appearing on social media.
The city is almost completely destroyed
Vovchansk, located in eastern Ukraine, has been almost completely destroyed by the Russians. About 100 people remain in the city, according to the Ukrainian agency UNIAN, citing local authorities.
The city of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region has been practically leveled as a result of the Russian offensive, and the Russians continue to target the city with guided aerial bombs, said Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation.
"However, the enemy did not achieve its objective and did not capture the city," he added.
The evacuation of civilians continues in the areas of the Kharkiv region affected by fighting. According to Oleg Synyehubov, head of the Kharkiv regional authorities, around 100 people remain in Vovchansk and even fewer in the locality of Lyptsi.
He noted that evacuation from the northern part of the city, currently occupied by the Russians, is impossible. "Despite the shelling, police officers and volunteers are involved in the evacuation process, operating in the southern part of the city," said Synyehubov.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine commented on the situation on the front in the Kharkiv region: " Although the enemy tried twice to break through the defense, Ukrainian soldiers are keeping the situation under control."
