A British Defense Ministry intelligence update, published on 1 October, says that Ukraine’s recapture of a chemical plant in Vovchansk – a key Russian stronghold – is expected to limit Russian advancement opportunities and support further counteroffensives to push Russian forces towards the Ukraine-Russia border.

The Ministry wrote:

• In late September 2024, Ukrainian forces recaptured and cleared the Volchansky chemical plant in Vovchansk, Kharkiv Oblast. The chemical plant acted as a Russian stronghold, enabling tactical operations on the Vovcha River. Its loss will likely limit opportunities for Russian Ground Forces (RGF) to advance in Kharkiv Oblast. It is likely that Ukrainian control of the plant will facilitate further counteroffensives in the north of the city to push the RGF back towards the Ukraine-Russia border.
• Vovchansk has been contested since May 2024, when the RGF began an offensive operation in the Kharkiv Oblast, likely to create a ‘buffer zone’ to deter and mitigate against any Ukrainian attacks in the Belgorod area. This led to Vovchansk (5 km south of the Ukraine-Russia border) being a heavily contested city with both sides striving to push the other out of the area.
• Russia has drawn forces away from the Vovchansk area to support operations in Kursk Oblast, where Ukraine has occupied a salient of Russian territory since August 2024. This has almost certainly reduced the RGF capabilities in the Vovchansk area.

Earlier, Ukrainian forces merged two bridgeheads near Vovchansk, disrupting Russian objectives in Kharkiv Oblast through aerial operations and precision strikes. Later, Russian troops withdrew from Vovchansk as Ukrainian forces captured the strategic Aggregate Plant, gaining fire control over northern Vovchansk.

On 24 September, Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) confirmed the recapture of the plant, paving the way for Vovchansk’s complete liberation in Kharkiv Oblast.

Related:

• Russian forces advance at Vuhledar as both Ukrainians and Russians make gains in Kursk Oblast
• HUR: Russian soldiers abandoned to die by their commanders in Vovchansk battle
• ISW: Russian troops gain ground in Vuhledar while Ukraine regains positions in Vovchansk
• Ukrainian intelligence units liberate the Vovchansk aggregate plant (video)
• Frontline report: Russians forced to withdraw from Vovchansk as Ukrainians capture Aggregate Plant
• Frontline report: Russians lose grip on Vovchansk as Ukraine merges two bridgeheads