• Ukraine has long anticipated a Russian summer offensive, including a potential bid to capture Kharkiv.
• Russia claimed to have seized five villages near Vovchansk in its latest offensive.
• Ukrainian artillery guns are returning fire, causing damage to streets.

Almost 1,800 people have been evacuated from the Kharkiv area as heavy fighting continues in the border region following Russia’s surprise incursions on Friday, according to the regional head.

Kyiv has long anticipated a Russian summer offensive, including a potential bid to capture Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city. Ukraine insists its forces can resist any attack.

On Saturday, Russia claimed to have seized five villages near the town of Vovchansk in its latest offensive. The BBC has not been able to independently verify the claim.

It remains unclear how far the Russians will advance – whether this constitutes a probing attack or the beginning of a larger operation.

Ukrainian artillery guns are now returning fire. The booms of exchanging fire resonate loudly down the streets already damaged by bombs.

On social media, Kharkiv regional head Oleh Syniehubov announced the evacuation of a total of 1,775 people. Hundreds more remain in Vovchansk, just 6km (3.7 miles) from the Russian border.

Serhii, a resident, recounted to the news that a Russian glide bomb had destroyed his home and vehicles. He rushed his wife to the hospital with more serious injuries. Small fires were still emitting smoke across the remnants of his home.

Serhii expressed reluctance to leave due to his fear for the safety of their four goats.

As we surveyed the damage, we heard the screech of yet more glide bombs being released, followed by the heavy thud of the explosion.

Russia’s air force is increasingly wreaking deadly havoc, and Ukraine currently lacks a response.

Reports suggest Moscow hopes to establish a 10km (six-mile) buffer zone for its Belgorod region following a series of Ukrainian cross-border attacks.

In his nightly address on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that fighting was ongoing in seven border villages, according to the news.

“Our defensive operations continue in the Kharkiv region”, he said, adding the situation in Donetsk “remains especially tense”.

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