(Dan Tri) – Russia is seeking to stretch the front line in Kharkov through the tactic of attacking new areas with small groups.
Ukrainian firefighters put out a fire at a drone factory in Kharkov after a Russian raid (Photo: AFP).
Statements by Ukrainian officials over the past 72 hours on the situation in Kharkiv have varied significantly, from `continued defensive fighting` to `the situation has significantly worsened` to `Russia has won a
In Kharkov today, Russia is not only attacking in one direction, but in four directions, across the front line.
Moscow knows that they are racing against time because things could be different in a month when the US’s $61 billion aid package will begin to help Ukraine get the weapons it needs.
So Russia appears to be throwing everything it can at it, knowing that the war will likely only get harder for its forces in the coming summer.
`Russia is trying to stretch the front line, attacking with small groups but in new directions. The situation is extremely difficult,` Kharkov Governor Oleh Syniehubov confirmed on May 13.
Mr. Syniehubov said that on the northeastern front, Russian forces are advancing in many directions, including near the town of Vovchansk and also towards the village of Lyptsi.
Russia attacked Kharkov on May 10, opening a new front in northeastern Ukraine after nearly 2 years of mainly focusing on the east and south.
First and most worrying is the northern border near Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city.
The Russian army’s advance of 5-7km in the Kharkov area is said to be their fastest advance since the early days of the war.
Some military bloggers say that the town of Lyptsi is in danger and from there Russian forces could attack Kharkov with artillery.
First, Ukraine reclaimed Kharkiv from Russia 18 months ago but clearly failed to fortify the region enough to prevent Russia from easily striking back.
Second, Russia could once again tie up the resource-strained Ukrainian army by continuously pressuring Kharkov, inflicting heavy damage with intense shelling of the vast urban area.
The war in Kharkov reflects the challenge for Ukraine’s remaining fronts in the context of serious shortages of manpower, weapons, ammunition and psychological fatigue after more than 2 years of conflict.
Along much of the front line, especially in the lines near the rear, fortifications seemed lacking, if not non-existent.
Meanwhile, the ground on the front line is drying up, making it easier for Russia to move heavy equipment.
Much of the world may be tired of the war in Ukraine, but Russia is not.
According to Western observers, this option seems to be a way for Russia to further integrate economics and military to prepare for a long war in Ukraine.
