Ukrainian border city of Vovchansk nearly destroyed amid Russian offensive: Official

The Ukrainian border city of Vovchansk has been nearly destroyed, a local official said Tuesday, as heavy fighting continues in the region days after Russia launched a new northeast offensive.

"The situation in Vovchansk is critical," Tamaz Hambarashvili, the head of the city administration, said during a national telethon on Tuesday.

Vovchansk is under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces but there is a shooting battle as small groups of Russian soldiers attempt to enter the outskirts of the city, Hambarashvili said.

Shelling has also been ongoing in the city of Kharkiv, where 17 people, including two children, were injured after Russians struck a high-rise Tuesday, Ukrainian officials said.

​​Ukraine said Monday it is battling 30,000 Russian soldiers at the border near Kharkiv, as thousands of civilians have been evacuated due to heavy fighting in the region.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Tuesday to reassure Ukraine of America's support for the war.

"We know the time is of the essence. That's why just one minute after Congress approved our massive aid package, President Biden said ammunition armored vehicles, missiles and air defenses [were on their way] to Ukraine," Blinken said, referring to the aid package passed last month. "Much more will be delivered to the battlefield in the coming days."

The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine told ABC News on Monday that Russia is using 30,000 of its 50,000 soldiers amassed at the border to attack in the Kremlin's new offensive.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during an address Monday that he has sent reinforcements to the region as they continue to counter Russian attacks. The troops are being provided "with all of the necessary firepower and forces," and their "results are improving," he said.

"We are destroying the enemy's infantry and armored vehicles," Zelenskyy said. "At the same time, we can clearly see how the enemy acts and their intent to stretch our forces thin."

The address came amid days of shelling in the region, including Vovchansk. Officials in Vovchansk said Monday that the city is being destroyed by mortars and cluster bombs, while gun-fighting is happening on the northern outskirts of the city.

Some 5,900 civilians have been evacuated from their homes in the region in recent days and fled toward the city of Kharkiv due to the fighting, the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration said Monday. Some 200 people still remain in Vovchansk, officials said.

During his address, Zelenskyy thanked local authorities who have aided in the evacuations "under constant Russian strikes."

Russia's military said in an update Monday that it has "improved the tactical situation and delivered strikes" on Ukrainian troops and military hardware in the Kharkiv region, including near Vovchansk.