AFU Colonel: Russians Have Three Goals In Kharkiv Region

Ukrainians will stabilize the situation in the coming days.

The Russians attack the Kharkiv region of Ukraine for the sixth day. Heavy fighting is taking place in the area of Vovchansk.

The Charter97.org website asked to assess the situation on this sector of the front of the Ukrainian military analyst, reserve colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Petro Chernik:

— Let's first find out why this all happened. First: Putin did not implement the strategic task for his own inauguration and the so-called "victory day celebration". Namely, to reach the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

It is clear that Russian propaganda must constantly consume something, but there are no results. They need to show at least some positivity. In their understanding, even a small bridgehead in the Kharkiv region is a serious success.

They hung flags in several Ukrainian villages, and in their propaganda presented it as if Berlin had been taken. Classical Goebbels style — propaganda cannot weaken.

Second: in June there will be a very serious event — the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland with the participation of more than 100 countries. There will be many representatives of the so-called Global South (Turkey, India, and so on).

There are many countries of the Global South that are hesitating, thinking about which side they should take: Ukraine or the Russian Federation. That's what Putin needs to show that he can at least do something.

Third: to sow panic in Kharkiv.

— What's the purpose?

— Kharkiv is still a city with significant defence industry. Let's imagine that we have tens of thousands of refugees. These production can be stopped. Also — a humanitarian crisis.

They also want to test our defence for weaknesses. They failed in Zaporizhzhia, as well as to liquidate our bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnipro River and to cross the Chasiv Yar. So they decided to try the Kharkiv region in case. And they've, unfortunately, managed partially.

Here are three point to estimate everything that is really happening there. First, there are no breakthrough operations at the division level. They advanced 3-5 km deep. That is, they overcame the operational zone, demining it with the bodies of their soldiers.

Secondly, the Russians do not yet have a serious troops to reach Kharkiv. They need to cover at least 30km. To do this, they need a 100,000-strong army. Now they have less than 40,000 in two regions (Sumy and Kharkiv).

— How can events develop in the near future?

— They will continue to attack. But the attacking potential has already decreased. I predict that in 3-4 days everything will be stabilized there.

Putin gave a very specific signal that he is ready for negotiations. This is the position of the weak, but he wants to have some trump cards. They say like they stop the front line as it is, but withdraw from the Kharkiv region.

This is the kind of strategic game they are now playing. Whatever it was, they have not yet achieved the global success they need. In my opinion, they will no longer achieve it.