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Vovchansk

Vovchansk is a city in Ukraine, in the Chuhuiv district of the Kharkiv region, the center of the Vovchansk city community.

On February 24, 2022, on the first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia occupied the city.

During the September Ukrainian offensive in the Kharkiv region, the Russians moved the region's occupation administration from Kupiansk to Vovchansk. On September 10, 2022, the occupation authorities of the Kharkiv region fled to Russian Belgorod. 

On September 12, the occupiers finally fled the city. On September 13, the Armed Forces of Ukraine entered the city. Vovchansk was liberated.

In May 2024, Russia began shelling and an offensive toward Vovchansk. The local authorities announced the evacuation of the population. On May 15, the occupiers entered the city and occupied part of it. 

As of May 2026, Vovchansk has been virtually destroyed by Russian shelling. Most of the territory where the city once stood is occupied by Russia. Fighting continues there. The occupiers continue to advance in the Vovchansk direction.

The commander of the unmanned systems battalion of the 57th Brigade, call sign "Guru", said in May 2026 that drones had stopped the front line along the Vovcha River. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have been holding the defense there for two years.

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