The new Russian offensive has taken kilometers of territory in Kharkiv Oblast, but the provision of new weapons by the US and Russia's inability to coordinate its ground and air forces make a breakthrough to the big city unlikely.
This was written by USA Today, citing American officials and military analysts. It is noted that Ukrainian troops, backed by billions of dollars worth of US weapons, will limit Russia's progress.
But Kharkiv could face more bombardment as Russian artillery moves closer. “Ukrainians are not in danger of losing, but now they are not winning. There are no peace talks and there is no interest in them on the part of the Ukrainians. Russia feels it has the initiative,” said Seth Jones, director of the international security program at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.
While a Russian breakthrough is unlikely, Ukrainian morale and manpower have become a problem after months of continuous fighting and dwindling ammunition supplies.
For his part, Phillips O'Brien, a professor of strategic security studies at the University of St. Andrews (Scotland), says that after the Ukrainian army sent reinforcements there, Russian troops stopped advancing in northeastern Ukraine. “We will see if they can take the little town of Volchansk first,” O'Brien said.
The war in Ukraine has turned into a contest of ingenuity and endurance, the Washington Post writes in the meantime. A clear demonstration of Russia's growing resilience is the launch of an offensive in the Kharkiv region.