Putin Plans A Powerful New Offensive Across the Border in Ukraine: “An Attack on Kharkiv, C

Two senior Ukrainian intelligence officials told the Financial Times newspaper that they expect Russia to “launch a new large-scale offensive in late May or June.”

“Russia’s current attacks on key front-line areas, as well as missile and drone attacks on Kharkiv and similar major cities, are a battleground call ahead of a major offensive,” writes the British newspaper.

A Ukrainian military supplier told Bild that he fears “a cross-border attack on Kharkiv with 20,000 to 40,000 people”: “Then we have to decide if we want to defend the north or the east. Both are not possible!”

A Ukrainian military confirmed that “if (the Russians, ed.) cross the border again, they will do it in Kharkiv”. However, the military official says a major offensive on Kharkiv is more likely to be launched from inside Ukraine. “In addition, there is Donetsk, which will make it extremely difficult to defend ourselves,” said the interlocutor, who wished to remain anonymous.

The US think tank the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is more optimistic. A recent analysis claims that “well-equipped Ukrainian forces will likely be able to prevent significant Russian advances operationally during Russia’s expected summer offensive.”

But few share this optimism. The Ukrainian officer interviewed by Bild explained the Russian success in recent weeks: “After two years, the Russians understood how to effectively use their air force for offensive operations. It is now commonplace for countless bombs to be dropped deep into Ukraine. Not, as before, only in a few insignificant hangars in the back area, but in every building we have.”

The officer complains that “without ammunition for counter-artillery and without missiles for air defense we can do nothing.” Ukraine is now building miles of “dragon’s teeth” anti-tank barriers. Not only along the more stable southern front, but also along the borders with the Russian regions of Belgorod, Kursk and Briansk.

The goal, as the Bild interlocutor says: “To be able to stop another Russian tank invasion directly at the border, and not just after 100 kilometers inland, as in the spring of 2022.”

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