Launching an offensive into the Kharkiv region, Russian forces quickly advanced several kilometers, managing to reoccupy several villages that were liberated during Ukraine’s successful offensive in September 2022.
By threatening Ukraine’s second most populous city, Russia hopes to pin Ukrainian resources in the region, exposing the front elsewhere.
While Russia lacks the forces to assault the city itself, the operation is designed to create a dilemma.
This risks leaving Ukrainian forces in Donetsk even more vulnerable if Russia commits its reserves in that direction.
Russian forces are also applying pressure near Kupiansk, to Kharkiv’s east, and in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia.
Persons:
Ukraine’s
Locations:
Russian, Ukraine, Kharkiv, Russia, Donetsk, Kupiansk, Sumy, Chernihiv