Ukrainian journalist updates on Russian offensive in Kharkiv Oblast

The New Voice of Ukraine
·2 min read

Russian troops have established two bridgeheads in Kharkiv Oblast along the border, capturing about 100 square kilometers of the border strip in two days, Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov reported on Facebook on May 12.

The depth of the enemy's advance is small, up to 5-6 kilometers, but the Russians have expanded their offensive front.

The first direction of the enemy's advance near Kharkiv is a ridge of heights near the villages of Lyptsi, Ternove, and Starytsia.

The second direction of the enemy's advance is the city of Vovchansk. The enemy has come directly to the outskirts of Vovchansk, which is about 5 km from the state border.

The plan of the Russian command is obvious:

  1. To constrain our troops and pull back reserves to localize the offensive

  2. To reach the ridge of dominant heights along the border to create a buffer zone

  3. In case of successful advancement and consolidation, create bridgeheads for an attack in depth, primarily in the direction of Vovchansk, to cover our Kupyansk group.

The enemy is deploying reserves and using significant infantry and armored vehicles, as well as a large number of drones.

Nevertheless, Russian troops are advancing slowly, and are not trying to break through with large forces in any narrow area. They are creating pressure on a broad front and concentrating forces in a pointwise manner to attack individual defense nodes where they are organized.

Ukrainian troops also operate dispersed on a wide front. The situation is difficult, the enemy has the tactical initiative.

But our front is getting stronger. There are problems in management and organization at the top command level because not everything was properly prepared and tested to repel the expected enemy offensive. They are trying to fix everything now.

At the moment, there is no threat of an offensive on Kharkiv, the enemy is far enough away, its forces are limited, and there is no rapid advance. The enemy's further advance depends on how heavy the Russians suffer in this border battle.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine