The war in Ukraine enters the decisive phase - Politico

The beginning of the Russian offensive in the north of the Kharkiv region marks the beginning of the critical phase, which will be crucial for the further course of the war. About it reports Politico. In the third year of the full -scale war, the fighting is in the critical phase because Kharkiv is again in the field of view of Putin, they say in the publication. Intensive wave of attacks by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation threaten the Kharkiv region and the regional center.

Not only control over the second largest city in Ukraine is at stake, but also Ukraine's potential ability to continue its struggle. It has long been expected that Russian troops will make a large -scale attempt to break through the front line in May or June. Now it seems obvious that Putin wants to use the window before more than western ammunition and weapons in the Armed Forces.

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation began the attack last weekend, now fighting around 30 cities and towns in the border areas of Kharkiv region 30 km from Kharkiv itself. The areas evacuate civilians. In Kharkiv Ova, it was stated that a delay with Western aid gave preference to the Russian Federation and weakened Ukraine's defense in the region. According to Sinegubova, the situation is really quite complicated, but fully controlled by defense forces.

At the same time, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation declares the seizure of five villages in the border. As a result, the publication stated that it is impossible to check the statement independently how long the fighting will be. Also, Lieutenant General Alexander Pavlyuk, the Lieutenant General, said that the Russian Federation was storming in eastern Ukraine.

"Russia knows that if we get enough weapons for a month or two, the situation can turn against them,"-explains Lieutenant General Activation of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It is noted that a significant breakthrough of the Russian Federation can provoke the pressure of European countries on Ukraine on joining peace talks. The occupiers have been preparing their offensive for months and for weeks it softened Kiev's defense. Missile and drones in Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

ISW believes that Russian troops were ordered to create a buffer area along the border and move to Kharkiv. But the regional center is not necessarily captured to control it. If the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation can move to a dozen km deep into the Ukrainian territory, then the city will already be in the area of ​​reach of artillery. The attempt to capture Kharkiv would be a matter of great task. In the morning, the General Staff indicates that 148 combat clashes occurred per day.

The losses of the invaders in the north of Kharkiv region amounted to 164 people and 25 pieces of equipment. The situation is controlled. 13 attacks were reflected in the directions: we will remind, on May 10, the commander of the Land Forces stated that the critical phase of war would occur in the next two months. On May 13, Oleg Synigubov stated that the forces of defense were restraining the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on all approaches to Vovchansk.