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During the Kharkiv offensive in the Ukraine war, special forces were probably deployed on both sides. Russia sent its Spetsnaz – and bypassed the defenders.
Kharkiv – Although it came as little surprise, it would have a devastating impact on the future situation in the country Ukraine war could have: Russia’s Kharkiv offensive presented the defenders with major challenges almost two weeks ago. The troops conquered the city almost at a rapid pace Wladimir Putin first border villages and the Ukrainian government was suddenly criticized for having inadequately secured its eastern region. The situation is now stable and the “enemy has been defeated,” stressed President Volodymyr Zelensky again and again, but at the same time warns against further advances by the aggressor.
The fact that no more Ukrainian villages fell to the enemy during Russia’s offensive near Kharkiv may also be due to the strategic redeployment of forces on the side of the defenders. How necessary this move actually was can only be guessed at, but new reports now suggest that Russia itself used its Spetsnaz troops in the midst of the Ukraine war to make advances – and Ukraine itself sent special forces to the front.
Special forces in Kharkiv offensive: Russia sends Spetsnaz to fight in Ukraine war
The Kharkiv offensive in Russia’s war against Ukraine hit the defenders hard: the region, which Ukraine had largely reconquered in the first months after the start of the Ukraine war, was already recovering from the direct effects of the fighting. Reconstruction measures are said to have already started, but now people from the border villages are once again on the run from Russian troops. The area around Vovchansk was particularly hard hit. Putin’s forces now control large parts of the city, reports the Guardian reported. But overall, the feared breakthrough did not materialize. In the meantime, it was suspected that Russia might try to attack Kharkiv directly.
Since Russia’s army failed to take the city of over a million people in the first months of the Ukraine War, the metropolis developed into a strong symbol of resistance against Russian aggression in the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, reports on the Kharkiv offensive suggest that the Russian military had originally planned to advance much more quickly in the Kharkiv region. However, due to limited resources and troops stationed in the border region, plans were changed before offensive operations began. The reports the EconomistAccording to the plan, Russia’s armed forces were to advance to Borshchova (about 20 kilometers northeast of the city of Kharkiv) within 72 hours in order to bring the artillery within range of the city.
With heavy losses in the Ukraine war: Russia made numerous advances in the Kharkiv offensive
Despite heavy losses in the Ukraine war, Russia has not yet managed to advance on the city. The Ukrainians are now under significantly greater pressure on other fronts of the war, but fears of an advance on Kharkiv remain. As the British Times Now writes, Ukrainian special forces even claim to have spotted Spetsnaz troops in the trenches in the region. “You could see how professional and well-coordinated they were working – it was work at a high level,” a Ukrainian soldier is quoted as saying.
The soldier belongs to the Kraken company, which reports directly to the HUR military intelligence service. Together with other special forces fighters, he was withdrawn from the Donbass region to provide support near Kharkiv. During the Kharkiv offensive, Russian special forces are said to have bypassed the defense lines and encircled the Ukrainian troops in their first advance. “They came through the swamps and trees, almost unnoticed by our attack drones,” reports the soldier. The Spetsnaz troops attacked from the rear and overran the first units. As a result, heavy fighting is said to have developed and many defenders fell in the fighting.
Russia deploys Spetsnaz in Ukraine war: Kiev hopes for more weapons
The fact that Russia is using Spetsnaz units in the Ukraine war is less surprising. Since the Russian invasion in spring 2022, the special forces have been repeatedly spotted fighting in Ukraine. They are currently said to be in use near Chassiv Yar, among other places. That comes from one Analysis by the Institute for the Study of War out. There have also been repeated reports in recent days about Spetsnaz operations in the Kharkiv offensive.
Russia has currently scaled back its offensive efforts near Kharkiv. The situation in the Ukraine war remains extremely difficult despite the Kharkiv offensive. President Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine still needs anti-aircraft defense, tank technology and artillery shells. The politician also said that he was grateful to every state and partner for their help. But the means to destroy the enemy must come now, in these weeks – “and not sometime in the summer.” (fbu/dpa)
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