The start of Russia's surprise ground attack on northeastern Ukraine

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: After the start of Russia's attack, Ukraine promised to contain Russia's surprise attack on Kharkiv region.

About two years ago, Russia was forced to withdraw from several positions in the Kharkiv region, and since then it had made limited advances in this border region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said a "heavy battle" was underway for control of the region.

Agence France-Presse reported that civilians were asked to flee the conflict areas and the Ukrainian army sent reinforcements to Kharkiv to defend the area.

"Russia has launched a new wave of counterattacks in the region," Zelensky said at a news conference in Kyiv. Ukraine responded to them with ground forces and artillery. "There is a heavy battle going on right now."

An hour later, after meeting with the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, he said in cyberspace that "a heavy battle is going on across the border line."

Agence France-Presse writes that Russia has remained silent about this attack, which is the country's largest ground operation in the region.

In an interview with AFP, a high-ranking source in the Ukrainian army claimed that Russia has advanced one kilometer in Ukraine and is trying to create a buffer zone in the Kharkiv region in order to prevent an attack on Russian territory.

Officials in Kiev had warned a few weeks ago that Moscow might try to attack Ukraine's border areas in the northeast of the country.

Hours after the start of this attack, America announced that it has approved a new military aid package worth 400 million dollars to be sent to Ukraine.