The Russian armed forces are making slow but steady progress in the Kharkiv region of North Eastern Ukraine. The new offensive which began on Friday has forced the Ukrainians to withdraw from two areas as Putin’s forces captured the Buruvatka, the 10th village to be captured in the five days of fighting.
Progress has been slow for the Russians on their main thrust line as Ukrainian forces have reinforced the town of Vovchansk, a town five kilometres away from the border. The Ukrainian General Staff states that in Vovchansk & Lukyantsi, their forces have moved into advantageous positions in order to preserve the lives of servicemen and to avoid losses.
Russian assault stopped, but Ukraine still cautious
Ukraine believes that the Russian assault has been halted, a point made clear by the embattled nation’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, who states that the Russians are already blocked and that the Russians aren’t advancing.
Ukraine does not believe that there is a threat from the Russians on the Kharkiv front as the Russians do not have the number of troops required to capture Kharkiv. Although the Ukrainian General Staff does believe that the Russians are maintaining their tempo of operations. According to them, there were 14 Russian assaults on Tuesday, 13 on Monday and 22 on Sunday, claiming that the attack was still in an ‘active phase’.
Ukraine’s manpower woes
Many military analysts think that the Russians are increasing the temperature on contact lines across the spectrum in order to keep chipping away at Ukrainian manpower, an area where the Ukrainians are feeling the pinch as the conflict enters its 811th day.
Sumy the new trial by fire for Ukraine?
Russia is building up forces near the Northern Sumy province, remember one of the Russian pincers towards Kyiv came from this direction, the other originated from Belarus. An attack in this region would deplete Ukraine’s reserves and thus its ability to react to any Russian assault in the future.
Blinken in Ukraine
Russia controls 18% of Ukraine and has been making steady progress since Kyiv’s failed 2023 offensive. U.S. Secretary of State is on an unannounced visit to Ukraine and has and assured President Zelenskyy that America will not abandon his country and that although there has been a delay in weapons and ammunition supply but more aid will come to Ukraine soon.
Dhruv
