Russia Denies Failure of Ground Offensive in Ukraine Amid Escalating Tensions
Russia has denied reports suggesting that its ground offensive in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region is failing, despite ongoing intensity of attacks. Belgorod's regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced restrictions on civilian access to 14 Russian border villages to protect them from Ukrainian shelling. The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the operation is ongoing and will continue until successfully completed, amid accusations of barbaric attacks by the Kyiv regime on civilian infrastructure. The Institute for the Study of War noted that Ukrainian forces are holding back the Russian advancement around Kharkiv city, leading city officials to announce the construction of underground schools for safety. Belgorod's governor reported over 200 casualties from Ukrainian shelling and outlined safety measures restricting entry to the border area. Meanwhile, both Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner swap, releasing 95 POWs each in the 54th such exchange since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The swap, facilitated by the United Arab Emirates, signifies a humanitarian effort amid the escalating conflict between the two nations.
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