Don’t panic: Russians did not reach Ukrainian defence lines in Kharkiv sector
16 May 2024 14:53
The advance of Russian troops in the Kharkiv area was not as deep and effective as Russians and some media outlets are trying to make it out to be. This is stated in a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on 15 May, according to [Kommersant]
Thus, according to analysts, the Ukrainians have built their defence lines deeper than the Russians have advanced. Thus, the Russian troops have not even approached the Ukrainian defensive borders yet.
“Officials of the Kharkiv regional administration stated on 15 May that constant Russian shelling prevents Ukrainian forces from establishing fortifications within 3-5 km of the border, and Ukrainian forces have built the first and second lines of defence approximately 12-13 km and 20 km from the international border. ISW currently estimates that Russian forces have advanced no more than 8 km from the international border in northern Kharkiv region,”
– the report says.
Thus, since 10 May, Russian troops have been able to make tactical advances in the north of Kharkiv region where Ukrainian forces have deliberately failed to establish significant defensive lines. Analysts believe that the Russians prefer to create a “buffer zone” over deep penetration into the Kharkiv region. An important point in this scheme is the prohibition on the striking of targets in Russia by Ukrainian partners who provide weapons to the Ukrainian armed forces.
“Russian troops stationed in Russia can easily launch artillery strikes on Ukrainian defensive positions near the border. And Western bans on the use of Western-supplied weapons systems for strikes on Russia’s rear across the border make potential stationary Ukrainian defensive positions near the border vulnerable and unprotected,”
– analysts believe.
Nevertheless, the pace of Russian offensive operations in northern Kharkiv region has slowed and continues to decline. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the army command said that Ukrainian troops had partially stabilised the situation. Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn, spokesman for the Khortytsia military group, said that Russian troops are trying to achieve tactical success near Lukianets and Vovchansk to create bridgeheads for further advance, but Ukrainian counterattacks, artillery and drone strikes are preventing Russian troops from gaining a foothold in these areas.
