Russia claims captured territory after a series of attacks in northeastern Ukraine

May 11 (UPI) – Russian forces launched a new series of attacks on the region around the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, prompting thousands of evacuations from the region.

On Saturday, Russian officials said they had captured five villages near the Ukrainian town of Vovchansk, just 6 kilometers from the border with Russia.

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The Russian Defense Ministry said the country controls the towns of Strilecha, Krasne, Pylne and Borysivka in the Kharkiv region, as well as the village of Keramik in Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine.

Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov later refuted this, saying during a broadcast on Ukrainian state television that no territory had been lost.

Western media outlets have been unable to independently verify Russian claims to captured territory.

“Our brigades met the enemy with live fire. All attacks were repelled. At this point, no territory was lost,” Syniehubov said during the televised address.

The governor described several areas in the border region with Russia as a “gray zone” where fighting continues.

According to Syniehubov, around 1,775 people have left their homes since the attacks began on Friday.

Several hundred people remain in Vovchansk.

On Saturday afternoon, Ukrainian artillery could be heard firing at Russian positions in the Kharkiv area.

The attacks come after Russia launched a series of drone and artillery strikes along its shared border with eastern and southeastern Ukraine on Friday morning.

At least three people were killed in the attacks and 13 others were injured.

On Friday, the United States signed its latest multimillion-dollar aid package, pledging $400 million worth of weapons and equipment.

“We expected that Russia would launch an offensive against Kharkiv, which now appears to have begun,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said in an interview with The Washington Post on Friday.

“We have coordinated closely with Ukraine to support them in their preparation. At this point, we assume that Russia has increased cross-border fires and launched initial attacks.”