Almost 80% of Vovchansk's buildings destroyed, damaged in Russian attacks, analysis says

Almost 80% of buildings in Vovchansk have been destroyed or damaged after Russia launched its offensive against the town, a joint investigation by Bellingcat and AFP published on Oct. 28 showed.

The once 17,000-strong town, located just 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the Russian border in Kharkiv Oblast, became heavily contested following Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Vovchansk endured a Russian occupation until the 2022 autumn Ukrainian counter-offensive liberated the town, only to face heavy fighting again after Russia began a new push in May 2024, forcing many residents to flee their homes.

Talking to journalists, the civilians recounted harrowing stories of escape from Russian occupiers, who, on occasion, deliberately targeted civilians during their attempts to flee.

According to the report, a library, a school, and a church were among the many destroyed buildings.

Some 60% of all buildings in the town were destroyed, and 18% were partially damaged, Bellingcat and AFP said, citing satellite imagery. As of late September, only 22% of the buildings remained intact.

Despite Russia’s surprise assault in May, the Russian offensive in northern Kharkiv Oblast has quickly bogged down, with Russian troops reportedly suffering heavy losses.

Since then, the intensity of fighting has decreased somewhat compared to other sectors in Ukraine's east near Pokrovsk, Vuhledar, and Toretsk.

According to the Ukrainian military, Russian tactics usually entail flattening towns and villages with artillery barrages and bombs before moving in to "capture" the ruined settlements.

For example, no buildings were left intact in the Donetsk Oblast town of Toretsk as a result of the Russian onslaught, Anastasia Bobovnikova, a spokesperson of the Operational Tactical Group Luhansk, said on Oct. 14.

Land on fire: Russia’s offensive in Donetsk Oblast brings destruction to new towns (Photos)

Since February, Russian forces have steadily advanced across multiple sectors of the front in Donetsk Oblast. They have occupied villages previously liberated by Ukraine, wiped out entire towns, and introduced new threats to the region’s overall defense. Alongside Chasiv Yar, Niu York, and other to…

The Kyiv IndependentGeorge Ivanchenko

Source link

Related posts:

Ukraine war latest: US won't impose new limitations on Ukraine's use of American weapons if North Korea enters war, Pentagon says Kharkiv’s historic skyscraper becomes the latest victim of Russia’s bombardments Silicon Bites #44 – Russia Opens a New Frontline North of Kharkiv – Reported to… Russia ramps up attacks in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Will there be a large-scale offensive? Russia gains Donbas ground as Ukraine’s Western allies delay weaponry talks Russia seeks to obliviate Ukrainian heritage by demolishing UNESCO-protected sites Russia preparing a 50,000-people-strong offensive in latest attempt to push Ukrainian army out of Kursk Oblast Ukraine war latest: Russian forces damage Kurakhove Reservoir dam in Donetsk Oblast, Kyiv says