Ukraine liberates 400 hectares of forest north of Lyptsi, Kharkiv Oblast

Ukrainian special forces have finished a successful operation near Lyptsi in Kharkiv Oblast on 15 October 2024, clearing a large forest area and inflicting heavy losses on Russian troops, according to a report by Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) on 16 October.

Russia re-invaded northern Kharkiv Oblast in May, aiming to secure the northern districts and bring Kharkiv City within artillery range. After advancing several kilometers, Russian forces stalled against Ukraine’s defensive lines. Since then, Ukrainian troops have gradually reclaimed two occupied areas formed by Russia’s incursion.

The HUR stated that its special units, including Artan, Kraken, the International Legion, and the Legion of Freedom of Russia, completed a comprehensive operation to liberate a forest area north of the village of Lyptsi in Kharkiv Oblast.

The operation reportedly resulted in the capture of the enemy’s battalion defense area and the destruction of three motorized rifle battalions, a Shtorm convict-soldier detachment, and a reconnaissance company of the 7th Guards Motor Rifle Regiment of the 11th Army Corps of the Russian Armed Forces.

“After clearing 400 hectares of forest north of Lyptsi, the situation of the invaders on this section of the front is deteriorating and close to hopeless,” the HUR reported.

The intelligence agency also noted that Ukrainian forces captured additional Russian prisoners of war during the assault. The operation showcased excellent cooperation between professional special forces and a line unit, with the infantry of the 13th Khartiia Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine being deployed with remarkably low losses, as per the report.

HUR emphasized that this successful mission “creates conditions for further ousting the Russian invaders from the north of Kharkiv Oblast.“

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