"Great offensive" on Kharkiv: an expert predicted Putin's barbaric plan

The Russians continue and will continue to exert pressure on Kharkiv region, and one of their possible key objectives at the moment is to compel the Ukrainian Armed Forces to divert reserves from the Donetsk direction here and to make it clear that a "great offensive" on Kharkiv is currently underway.

Oleksandr Kovalenko, military and political analyst of the "Information Resistance" group, expressed this opinion in a commentary for TSN.ua.

"The Russian occupiers continue to operate in the gray zone, trying to operate in the direction of Vovchansk and Lyptsi. These are their main directions. They are trying to expand their zone of control in the gray zone. According to the general plans that were expected, they were supposed to reach these milestones by May 10. Now it's the second half of May 13, and there is no evidence of Russian control over these settlements. So everything is happening quite slowly, although the enemy is trying to maximize the informational context of their successes," says Oleksandr Kovalenko.

He adds: "What we are currently observing is what was warned about in advance. At the end of 2023, at the beginning of 2024, information appeared that the Russians were preparing to capture Kharkiv. Many experts, analysts, myself included, explained the specific changes happening in the military groups in the territory of Belgorod region and beyond. It was also explained whether there was a threat to Kharkiv or if a strike force was being formed there. Almost all of my recent comments were related to the fact that the Russians have the capability to act in the form of sabotage and reconnaissance groups in the border zone".

Oleksandr Kovalenko adds that the top priority for the enemy in Donbas region is the Toretsk foothold. It's important for the enemy to have as few Ukrainian troops there as possible.

"The enemy will try to encircle the Toretsk foothold, although I am confident that they will not succeed. The Russians lack the resources and potential to do so. However, it is precisely through the Kharkiv operation (which Oleksandr Kovalenko refers to, as a simulation) that they are trying to simulate a major offensive on Kharkiv in order to divert our forces away from other fronts", the expert concludes.

For its part, the Police of Kharkiv region reports that law enforcement officers are already evacuating residents of Vovchansk community. This process is taking place amidst the sounds of shelling. Many people are leaving their homes with tears in their eyes. One woman openly told the police that she was forced to release several pigs in the hope that they would find food somewhere.

Read also:

• Vovchansk is turning into Bakhmut" - the chief of police of Kharkiv region about airstrikes on the city

• Attack on Kharkiv region: Svitan outlined the threats if the occupiers breach Vovchansk defense

• A Red List horse was killed by a Russian mine in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (photo) 

• Offensive on Kharkiv region: the occupiers are trying to stretch the defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine