Institute for the Study of War informs about Russia’s preparation of the second phase of the offensive in the north of the Kharkiv region after the planned capture of Vovchansk.
ISW experts believe that the strengthening of the Russian group in the Kharkiv direction indicates the priority for the Kremlin to withdraw Ukrainian forces from the eastern front and create a “buffer zone” in the north of the region.
However, analysts warn that Ukrainian resistance and possible counterattacks could force the Russians to conduct another wave of intensified assaults to achieve their goals.
According to the ISW, even an increase in the number of the Russian group to the declared 50-70 thousand people will not provide sufficient forces for the successful capture of Kharkiv.
Recently, the head of the Kharkiv OVA Oleg Sinegubov confirmed information about the transfer of Russian reserves to the Kupyanskyi and Bogodukhivskyi directions. The Russians are actively pulling up reserves in the Kupyan direction, trying to maintain their offensive potential.
It is noted that the Ukrainian military is preparing to repel a possible attack and is taking measures to protect the civilian population.
