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Russian troops have taken control of the Goptovka checkpoint in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, marking a new advance near the border with Russia’s Belgorod region. According to Russian military sources, forward units of the Northern group of forces crossed into Ukrainian territory in the Dergachi district, securing the customs post amid ongoing Ukrainian artillery and drone strikes attempting to dislodge them.
Footage confirms Ukrainian withdrawal from the border facilities. According to field reports, Russian units are currently fortifying their positions while reinforcements arrive to support further advances. Ukrainian forces have fled to avoid direct combat with Russian assault teams, but continue to pound the area with artillery fire and drone strikes destroying the checkpoint’s infrastructure.
The capture of Goptovka represents Russia’s second attempt to establish a foothold in this area after earlier battles reported in March. Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups have reportedly probed Ukrainian border defenses near Goptovka, assessing weak points before throwing larger forces into battles. At the beginning of the year, Ukraine reinforced its border units, including elements of the 15th Separate Motorized Infantry Battalion (58th Brigade), but recent setbacks in Donbass likely forced Kyiv to redeploy troops, leaving the frontier more vulnerable.
The tactical victory threatens the Armed Forces of Ukraine with Russian offensive in a new direction. Russian troops are enlarging the striking distance of key Ukrainian settlements, including Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. Russian forces may also launch offensive on the town of Kazachya Lopan, a nearby settlement that could serve as a staging ground for further offensives. However, Moscow’s immediate priority seems to be securing and expanding the newly captured zone rather than launching a direct assault on Ukrainian urban centers.
Ukrainian forces are now caught in a trap. The Ukrainian command may be trying to contain Russian advances near Kharkiv while defending against relentless pressure in the Donbass, including in Pokrovsk, Dnepropetrovsk, Konstantinovka and other directions. The loss of Goptovka, though not yet a major operational breakthrough, adds to Moscow’s creeping gains along the border, forcing Ukraine to divert already strained resources.
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