Russia will not stop in the Kharkiv region and will try to create a buffer zone on the border with Ukraine. It is the scenario that Lloyd Austin, US Secretary of Defense, outlines in his speech at the 22nd summit of the Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine at the German Ramstein base.
Moscow forces launched operations in Kharkiv Oblast on May 10, penetrating into Ukrainian territory before being contained by Kiev’s soldiers. The Russians have gained ground like they haven’t seen in about a year and a half. The apparent slowdown in the offensive must not be deceiving, says the number 1 of the Pentagon, announcing that “in the coming weeks” Russia will try to make further progress to reach one of the objectives indicated by Vladimir Putin: several times the president has done reference to the need to create a buffer zone to prevent Ukrainian artillery and drones from hitting territories controlled by Moscow.
“It’s a complex moment. The invaders have launched a new offensive on the sovereign territory of Ukraine. The Russians will try to make progress in the coming weeks to create a buffer zone. It’s a tough and dangerous clash, but Ukraine’s defenders are showing extraordinary quality and courage. And they are using the means that this contact group has made available,” Austin says.
The clashes in Vochansk and Luhansk
In Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine controls around 60% of Vovchansk, a town now almost totally abandoned by civilians. “The enemy is still trying to push Ukrainian soldiers out of the city. About 60% of the city is controlled by the Ukrainian armed forces, the attacks do not stop”, the news provided by deputy governor Roman Semenukha. Clashes also continue along the eastern front, where – according to the Russian Ministry of Defense – Moscow’s forces have taken control of the village of Bilohorivka.
Zelensky’s message
The picture proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after the conversation with the commander of the armed forces, General Oleksandr Syrsky, “in particular of the situation in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions is different. We maintain control everywhere“. “Russian assassins actively use guided aerial bombs in the Khasiv Yar area, the Pokrovsk sector, the Lyptsi area of the Kharkiv region and other combat zones,” says Zelensky, highlighting that this situation reiterates the “need for air defense, of additional defense systems that could significantly reduce the difficulties for our soldiers and reduce the threat to our cities. This also applies to the preparation for the transition of our air force to new fighters.”
“Unfortunately, the free world is not yet effective in achieving these two goals. We are working promisingly with several partners and are doing everything to ensure that the day comes as soon as possible when we can provide Patriot power to our regions eastern, to our cities like Kharkiv and Sumy”, he says, referring in particular to defense systems.
“Putin has nothing but terror. This is the basis of his capabilities. And every limitation of Russia’s terrorist potential is an impetus for peace. Our weapons serve to defend Ukrainian positions, our joint diplomatic efforts are in favor of the formula of peace, our work aims to make Russia legally responsible for the war: all this brings peace closer”, he continues.
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