Russia’s offensive in northern Kharkiv aimed at preventing Ukraine’s build-up, Ukrainian general says

Connecticut Digital NewsAugust 3, 2024

1 minute read

In an interview with Ukrainian outlet Glavcom, Brigadier General Andrii Hnatov, commander of the Ukrainian Joint Forces and Khortytsia Grouping of Forces, detailed Russia’s strategic objectives in northern Kharkiv Oblast. General Hnatov emphasized that Russia initiated its offensive in May 2024 to continuously engage Ukrainian forces, thereby preventing them from amassing manpower for potential counteroffensive operations.

General Hnatov explained that this tactic is designed to drain Ukrainian resources, complicate troop rotations, and force Ukraine to commit new forces to defensive operations rather than to counterattacks. This strategy aligns with the Institute for the Study of War’s (ISW) assessment that Russia aims to degrade Ukraine’s ability to accumulate necessary manpower and matériel to challenge on the battlefield. According to ISW, maintaining a theater-wide initiative is crucial for Russia to constrain Ukrainian strategic options.

russia’s offensive northern kharkiv aimed preventing ukraine's build-up ukrainian general says brigadier andrii hnatov facebook/oleksandr syrskyi — Map: ISW.

During the interview, Hnatov also highlighted the challenges along the entire frontline, pointing out areas like Pokrovsk, Kupiansk, and Vovchansk as particularly intense battle zones. He noted the complexity of the battlefield dynamics, which complicates predictions and preparations against Russian offensive adjustments.

Furthermore, Hnatov discussed the difficulties in managing troop rotations under the pressure of ongoing engagements. He noted that Ukrainian units are continuously replaced and reassigned to different sectors, complicating straightforward military responses and planning.

Related:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.
We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia’s war against Ukraine and Ukraine’s struggle to build a democratic society.
A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.
Become a Patron!

Source link