Russia increases forces in Kharkov, Kiev prepares preemptive strike strategy to control important area.
50,000 Russian troops approaching Kharkov forced Ukraine to plan to take action before a major war officially broke out on the border area that is heating up every day.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•30/05/2025
The US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that Russia is actively mobilizing forces and means to prepare for a large-scale campaign in the border area with Kharkov. Photo: Top War In addition to deploying tens of thousands of troops and military equipment, Moscow has also installed electronic warfare systems in forests and on electricity poles along the front line. Observers say this move is aimed at neutralizing Ukrainian UAV attacks – a sign that the risk of a major conflict is approaching. Illustration: Reuters
“This time the Russians have gathered at least 50,000 people, many of them veterans who were transferred from the Kursk front, especially paratroopers,” said Andriy Pomahaib, chief of staff of the 13th National Guard Brigade of Ukraine. “They clearly want to create a ‘buffer zone’. The weather is still good for about four months, so they are determined to act.” Photo: Kp.ru While Russia is preparing for the operation, the Ukrainian army is not standing still. According to the Ukrinform news agency (Ukraine) on May 27, the country's armed forces have discovered the Russian army's gathering place in Kharkov and are planning to "strike first to gain the upper hand". Photo: Kp.ru It is worth noting that Ukrainian reconnaissance forces discovered that Russia had also sent TOS-1 heavy flamethrower vehicles to the front line. This is an extremely dangerous weapon, capable of launching thermobaric rockets with great destructive power, creating shock waves strong enough to flatten buildings and destroy infantry hiding in fortifications. Photo: RT What makes people feel the atmosphere of the impending war even more clearly is the actions of the Russian army in the town of Lyptsi. Previously, they only deployed small infantry groups to harass this area, but recently they suddenly carried out a company-sized mechanized raid, mobilizing tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and combat motorcycles. Photo: RIA Novosoti
Ukraine considers this to be Russia's "tiger-touching" action - to probe the weak and strong points of the defense line, thereby paving the way for an upcoming large-scale attack. Photo: TASS In the city of Vovchansk, Russian troops have been advancing deeper and deeper each day in recent days. As of May 27, they had basically taken control of the northern part of the city, forcing most of Ukraine's main forces to retreat to the southern bank of the Vovcha River to dig trenches and establish a new defense line. Photo: Google Maps Meanwhile, the situation in the neighboring village of Tykhe was much more dire. After a heavy artillery barrage of far greater intensity than usual, Russian infantry quickly launched a frontal assault. The Ukrainian defenses there were knocked out, suffering heavy losses, forcing the defenders to retreat to the village of Kutur to the south to reestablish the battle. Photo: Global Look Press There was also news of interest from the direction of Stroivka: the Russians had crossed the border and occupied the area northeast of the village, apparently in order to avoid the Oskil River and then circle around to attack Kamyanka. If they took control of Kamyanka, they could use the road network there to expand the bridgehead on the left bank of the Oskil River, and at the same time connect the two strongholds of Kamyanka and Dvorichna. The next step, it is not excluded, would be to try to encircle Kupyansk. Photo: Google Maps
If the Russians continue to advance northwest from Kolodyazne, they could even join forces with units stationed in the Sumy region, thereby solidifying the entire strategic buffer zone structure. Photo: Global Look Press The fiercest fighting has been in the eastern part of Pokrovsk. Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces stationed between Malynivka and Mirolyubivka have suffered heavy losses. Russian artillery and drones have pounded the battlefield, turning the area into rubble. Photo: Google Maps After the artillery barrage, Russian infantry immediately charged, quickly taking control of positions north of Yelyzavetivka village and continuing to expand control to neighboring areas. The remaining Ukrainian troops wanted to retreat but did not receive orders and were forced to hold out under heavy fire. Photo: TASS
The situation on the battlefield shows a clear reality: regardless of whether Ukrainian forces choose to retreat or hold out, they are locked in a dense network of Russian firepower, with almost no ability to maneuver or counterattack effectively. Photo: TASS
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•30/05/2025
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