Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Friday that Russian forces had initiated a fresh offensive operation, specifically targeting Kharkiv Oblast.

Addressing the press during a briefing with Slovak President Zuzana Caputova in Kyiv, Zelensky stated, "Russia began a new wave of offensive actions in this (Kharkiv's) direction. Ukraine met them (Russian forces) there with our troops, brigades, and artillery."

Recent escalations in attacks on Kharkiv have raised concerns that Russia may be planning a broader offensive in the region in the coming months.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry earlier reported that Russian military forces had attempted to breach Ukraine's defense lines in Kharkiv Oblast.

Zelensky noted that Russian troops could potentially deploy assault units further into the region, confirming that Ukrainian forces were aware of the possibility of an offensive and had made preparations.

"At least two people were killed, and five were injured amid intense Russian attacks as of 1:30 p.m. local time," Zelensky stated.

The Defense Ministry confirmed that Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense lines around 5 a.m. local time, with subsequent battles of varying intensity continuing throughout the day.

Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reassured earlier that the attack "does not pose a threat" to Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.

Despite its proximity to the Russian border, Kharkiv managed to repel Russian attempts to capture the city during the initial weeks of the full-scale invasion. (ILKHA)