Embattled Ukrainian forces struggle to hold back the fresh assault of Russian forces near Ukraine’s second city of Kharkiv in what analysts are saying is the biggest attack since the initial assault two years ago
Ukraine’s generals have issued a chilling warning that they will run out of reserves to stop Russia’s brutal onslaught.
Moscow’s renewed northeast offensive, launched late last week, was the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began. In just two days, Moscow has captured 100 to 125 square kilometres (38 to 47 square miles) that include at least seven villages, most of them already depopulated, according to two open-source monitoring analysts.
It’s believed Putin has amassed more than half a million troops in a bid to sweep aside Ukraine’s embattled defenders. Poorly built fortifications and long-term ammunition shortages enabled Russia’s sweeping advance in the area since Friday, local officials and soldiers said.
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The Kremlin’s forces are seeking to divert and distract Ukrainian troops across the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line until a big batch of new military aid for Kyiv from the US and European partners arrives on the battlefield in the coming weeks and months, Ukrainian commanders and analysts said. General Kyrylo Budanov, boss of Kyiv’s military intelligence said: “I’ve used everything we have. Unfortunately, we don’t have anyone else in the reserves.”
Royal United Services Institute war expert Dr Jack Watling said unless Russia has “significant numerical superiority”. He added: “The Russian forces have now expanded to 510,000 troops. The outlook for Ukraine is bleak. Its allies must replenish stockpiles.”
By intensifying offensive operations, Russia seeks to stretch Ukraine’s forces thin and forge breakthroughs. Russian forces claimed to have taken an additional 90 square kilometres (35 square miles), which has not been independently confirmed.
Opening a new front from two points along the border with the Russian region of Belgorod was the easiest tactic to pin down and divert Ukrainian forces from heavy battles raging in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Russia’s most sought-after prize. Yurii Federenko, commander of the ACHILLES battalion of the 92nd brigade explained: “The enemy identified the most geographically convenient place … the state border line.”
His unit was among others rotated into the northeast from the Donetsk region to stabilize the northeast front, he said. He fears a similar front may be opened in the Sumy region, which also shares a border with Russia.
The string of villages, captured along the contested grey zone, where enemy shelling precludes the building of fortifications, were also the easiest for Moscow’s forces to nab. Their momentum will likely slow as they approach better-fortified settlements, Ukrainian commanders said.
Small batches of US military aid have started to trickle into the front line in the form of much-needed artillery, said Federenko, whose unit received some of the aid. But it will take at least two months before incoming supplies will meet Kyiv’s needs to hold the line, he said. Until they arrive, Ukraine won’t be able to seize the battlefield initiative, he said.
Former UK joint chief General Sir Richard Barrons has said Russians have been able to “form up at leisure”, reports the Sun. He added: “Those are the only weapons that will break up Russian forces as they organise themselves for an offensive.”