Russian forces are continuing to advance into northeastern Ukraine, coming within 10 miles of Kharkiv and raising concerns about the city being within range of Russian artillery. The Ukrainian Army reported that Russian troops attempted to break through their defenses near the village of Lyptsi, just north of Kharkiv, with independent groups confirming that Russian troops had nearly reached the outskirts of the village. The Khartia Brigade defending Lyptsi released a video showing Russian soldiers advancing on the village, prompting them to target the Russians with rockets.
The new front opened by Russian forces in Ukraine’s northeast last week has resulted in the capture of about 10 settlements, aiming to stretch Ukraine’s already outnumbered forces. Russia’s goal may be to push Kyiv’s forces away from the border, creating a buffer zone to prevent Ukrainian artillery strikes on Russian towns and cities. This buffer zone could also potentially allow Russian forces to bombard Kharkiv with artillery shells, targeting residential areas and cutting off power stations to inflict hardship on the city’s inhabitants. Kharkiv, with a population of 1.2 million, could face a return to the situation it faced at the beginning of the war in 2022 when Russian troops reached the outskirts of the city.
Kharkiv’s mayor described Russia’s advance toward the city as intended to cause chaos and panic, but stated that there are no plans to evacuate the population. The city has become a temporary home for thousands of civilians fleeing the fighting in surrounding areas. However, Kharkiv is not entirely safe, as Russia has increased its targeting of the city with powerful guided missiles and S-300 antiaircraft missiles. Ukrainian officials have requested additional air defense systems, particularly Patriot systems, to defend against missile threats targeting cities in the northeast region of Ukraine.
Russian forces have so far moved through sparsely populated and poorly fortified areas on their advance towards Kharkiv. Engaging in street fighting in villages like Lyptsi, which has a prewar population of 4,000, will present greater challenges for Russian troops. Experts note that a chain of villages separates Lyptsi from Kharkiv, requiring Russian forces to navigate through over 17 kilometers of built-up areas. Military experts believe that Russia lacks the forces necessary to conduct a full-scale operation to take Kharkiv itself, but the ongoing advances could still pose a significant threat to the city’s residents.
In response to the escalating situation, Ukrainian officials have emphasized the urgent need for additional air defense systems to protect cities like Kharkiv. President Putin has stated that Russian forces have no plans to take the city outright, but the continued advance towards Kharkiv indicates a strategic goal of creating a buffer zone and exerting control over the region. As Russian forces move closer to Kharkiv, the threat of increased artillery strikes and attacks on critical infrastructure intensifies, posing challenges for Ukrainian forces and civilians in the area. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing monitoring and assessment necessary to gauge the evolving dynamics of the conflict in northeastern Ukraine.
