Kremlin sources claim that Vladimir Putin can end the war in Ukraine if he captures the city of Kharkiv, which would be a symbolic victory for him, focus.de reported, citing Meduza.
According to the Russian independent media, two options are being discussed in Moscow, according to which the military aggression against Ukraine may proceed from now on. Putin's entourage is divided over when the war should end.
One wing is more aggressive and wants the Russian army in Ukraine to fight to the end. This faction has not given up even on the capture of Kiev. With this option, a direct confrontation against NATO is not excluded, Putin is ready for that.
However, the other scenario is “more realistic”. If Russian troops manage to capture Kharkiv, Putin can claim a symbolic victory and gradually end the war. According to presidential sources, the second scenario is “very likely“.
From a strategic point of view, Kharkiv is an extremely key city. It is the second largest in Ukraine and only hours ago it was attacked by the Russian aggressor.
In Kharkiv, which had a pre-war population of almost 1.5 million people, a Russian rocket hit residential buildings, local authorities said, killing at least one person and injuring 16, including four children, Ukrainian media reported yesterday.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said robust air defenses would "save thousands of lives", reduce damage to Ukrainian infrastructure and help soldiers on the front lines. He called on countries with advanced US Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems to send them to Ukraine, which received the first battery of the system in April 2023. Kuleba said Russia had recently stepped up its airstrikes, with between 18 and on March 24 it launched 190 rockets and dropped 700 guided bombs.