Situation on Russian offensive in Kharkiv region as of 5:00 a.m. on May 13
During the day, the enemy started fighting in the border villages of Hlyboke and Starytsia in the Kharkiv direction. However, they failed to capture the villages completely, and infantry contact battles were ongoing.
The enemy is trying to advance on the village of Lyptsi but fails to reach the village.
In the direction of Vovchansk, the enemy entered the outskirts of Vovchansk on the outer streets and the Vovchansk meat processing plant. However, the city remains almost completely under our control, and the enemy is not allowed to advance deeper. Near Vovchansk, our artillery and drones are effectively attacking the infantry, and the enemy's losses are significant. I am here, so I can see the situation with my own eyes. Defense is being strengthened in the city. The enemy is acting actively, infantry groups are trying to break through our combat formations in different areas.
On May 12, the Russians attacked Vovchansk for the first time with several tanks with mine rollers, but the attack was repelled.
On May 12, the Russians tried to advance in almost all directions but met with resistance from Ukrainian troops everywhere, and now the enemy is forced to conduct assaults.
Having faced the tightening of our combat formations and the need to attack the strongholds that impede further advance, the enemy lost the ability to maneuver. And now Russian losses have begun to increase sharply.
On the first day of the offensive, the command of the Kharkiv OTG (Operational-Tactical Group) was changed due to certain problems. A new commander is a man with experience and competence. Command and control and awareness are improving, but not as fast as we would like. Management and organization at the highest level are our primary and key problems.
In terms of ammunition, our troops are supplied with artillery shells.
In terms of people: there are problems with low completeness of units, but the enemy does not have a multiple advantage.
As for the fortifications: they were built in the Kharkiv direction, but the enemy has not reached these lines. For some reason, the defensive lines are not bound to tactically advantageous heights and the main battles are taking place where the positions are not equipped, and we need to dig in now. This is why the troops do not understand that there are no fortifications exactly where they are needed, and why they must dig defenses into the plantations again on its own.
In the direction of Vovchansk, the city is not prepared for defense. There are no details yet, but it's no secret to the enemy, as local residents have not been resettled and enemy drones often make flyoffs.
As for the actions of our troops: we have experienced commanders and units, defense organization, the front-line determination, and interaction are emerging and improving. The chaos on the broad front has not been completely overcome, but the situation is being improved.
The situation remains complicated, Russian troops have the initiative due to their overall numerical superiority and pre-planned actions on a wide front, but there are no prerequisites for a breakthrough of our front at the moment.
Forecast for the enemy's actions for the day: Russians will try to move further into the residential area of Vovchansk, advance in the direction of Starytsia, and gain a foothold in the buildings of Lyptsi and Ternova.
The battle is ongoing, the enemy continues to be active, so the situation is very tense.
All the units in this direction are in urgent need of drones.
Yurii Butusov, Censor.NET
