Russian troops may use the threat of an attack on Kharkiv to stretch Ukrainian forces, – ISW
According to message According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces may be trying to use the threat of an offensive on Kharkiv to force Ukrainian forces to stretch out on a wider front in eastern Ukraine before launching their own summer offensive.
This conclusion is based on the ISW report, which states that Russia is building up troops and regrouping in the Kharkiv direction.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky announced yesterday, April 28, that Russia is accumulating troops in the Kharkiv direction and is regrouping. Ukraine, for its part, is strengthening the most dangerous areas in this direction.
However, Sirskyi’s statement does not confirm the inevitability of a Russian offensive operation against Kharkiv. He also noted that Ukrainian forces had recently improved their positions near Sinkivka (northeast of Kupyansk), and Russian troops had retreated a short distance from Sinkivka due to a lack of manpower in the area.
ISW analysts also claim that a potential Russian offensive on Kharkiv would be very ambitious and risky, as Ukrainian forces are much better equipped thanks to US assistance.
In addition to a direct offensive, the threat of an attack on Kharkiv could also be used by the Russians to stretch Ukrainian forces on a wider front in eastern Ukraine before launching their summer offensive.
