Moscow creating buffer zone in Kharkiv

Russian forces advancing in Ukraine’s north-eastern Kharkiv region are carving out a security zone to protect Russia’s Belgorod region, President Putin claims

Russian gains May 10-17 
Claimed Russian control

Russian forces
5km 3 miles
Shopyne
Ukrainian forces
Hlyboke
KHARKIV
Pre-war population: 1.4 million
Zybyne
Vovchansk Fierce fighting reported
Zelene 
Izbytske 
Ohirtseve
RUSSIA BELGOROD REGION
Liptsi
UKRAINE KHARKIV REGION
Assault on Kharkiv border has forced Kyiv to redirect some reserves north, potentially imperilling other positions

Russian control

RUSSIA
UKRAINE
Kyiv

Sources: Reuters, BBC, Institute for the Study of War
© GRAPHIC NEWS