Thousands evacuated from Kharkiv region following surprise Russian offensive
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00:00 This is the kind of damage that Russia wants to prevent.
00:03 The aftermath of Ukrainian shelling and drone strikes on the city of Belgorod on Saturday.
00:09 Nearby Kursk was also hit, as was the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk.
00:15 The barrage came as Russian forces pushed across the border into the region of Kharkiv.
00:20 Valentina Fedotovna had a close escape as airstrikes and rockets rained down on her
00:25 hometown of Vovchansk.
00:30 What can I do?
00:31 I am deaf.
00:32 I was lying on the couch when everything fell on me.
00:38 More than 1,700 people like her have fled from villages near the border, a number of
00:44 which Russia says it's now captured.
00:46 It's scary, but what can we do?
00:50 I hope they don't come and that our home will still be here.
00:55 President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's forces are counter-attacking.
01:01 We are strengthening our positions, particularly in the Kharkiv region, by deploying additional
01:06 forces.
01:07 The artillery is operating exactly as needed.
01:11 He urged allies to speed up arms deliveries.
01:14 Analysts say Russia's push in Kharkiv is meant to exploit ammo shortages and keep Ukrainian
01:19 forces away from Donetsk, where Moscow's troops are gaining ground.
01:24 He could also seek to create a buffer zone to try and stop the frequent Ukrainian attacks
01:29 across the border.