This article's
lead sectionmay be too short to adequately
summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to
provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article.(November 2023)
During the early days of the
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces captured much of eastern
Kharkiv Oblast, including the towns of
Kupiansk,
Shevchenkove, and
Balakliia.[8] Balakliia itself was captured on March 3, 2022, without much of a fight. From March to early May, most of the fighting in Kharkiv Oblast was concentrated in the cities of
Kharkiv and
Izium.[9]
Throughout July and August 2022, Ukrainian and Russian media both amplified claims of a Ukrainian counteroffensive in
Kherson Oblast, which finally culminated on August 29, 2022.[13] The counteroffensive saw slow progress, with Ukrainian forces suffering heavy losses and facing a stiff Russian resistance.[14] However, on September 6, Ukrainian forces launched a surprise counteroffensive in eastern Kharkiv oblast, with fighting for Balakliia beginning on the first day.[15]
Battle
On September 6, Ukrainian forces launched an offensive towards Balakliia, after having concentrated lots of forces near the area.[16] On the first day, they liberated
Verbivka [
uk], a suburb northwest of Balakliia.[17] Russian forces stationed in Balakliia blew up bridges to slow the Ukrainian advance from Verbivka, although Ukrainian forces went around the town instead to besiege it.[16] Some Ukrainian forces stayed near Balakliia, fighting Russian forces in the center of the city while another group went north towards
Volokhiv Yar.[18]
By September 7, Balakliia was under siege, with fighting taking place in the eastern and central parts of the city.[19] Fighting ended on September 8, with Ukrainian forces liberating all of Balakliia.[20][failed verification]
During the days after the battle, Ukrainian forces liberated
Kupiansk on September 9,[21]Izium on September 10,[22] and
Velykyi Burluk and
Vovchansk on September 12.[23] The counteroffensive stalled after September 12, as news teams,
Ukrposhta, and other organizations were let into eastern Kharkiv oblast.[citation needed]
On September 14, Ukrainian police officers found evidence of a torture chamber that housed 40 civilians in the basement of the Balakliia police station.[24] The locals that remained in the city claimed that unlike other areas under Russian occupation like
Bucha and
Irpin, Russian occupation forces were generally much more tame in their treatment of civilians.[24]