Zelenskyy Warns More Russian Troops Could Engage In Kharkiv Assault

Wires carrying comments from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid a sizeable Russian assault on the Kharkiv oblast in northeast Ukraine (see 'UKRAINE: Significant Escalation In Russian Attacks Along Kharkiv Frontier', 1201BST). Zelenskyy claims that 'Ukrainian forces were prepared to repel Russian ground attacks [in the direction of Kharkiv]', but warns that 'Russia could send more troops [to] the area'.

• Al Jazeera reported on 9 May "Ukrainian deputy military intelligence chief Vadym Skibitsky said Russia was possibly preparing to make a renewed attempt to capture Sumy and Kharkiv..."
• The likelihood of Russia being able to take the city of Kharkiv, currently deep within Ukrainian-held territory would require a collosal Russian offensive, diverting troops and equipment from other frontline areas on both sides.
• Instead, pushing south from the border around Vovchansk could see a 'buffer zone' set up along Ukraine's border with Russia's Belgorod oblast as President Vladimir Putin seeks to avoid incursions into the Russian Federation by Ukrainian forces.
• Earlier, Reuters reported that according to an unnamed high-ranking Ukrainian military source, Kyiv expects to receive its first delivery of F-16 fighter jets from the West in June or July.
• However, more important in the short-term will be how swiftly the now-Congressionally approved supplies of US weaponry can reach the frontlines to repel Russian advances. The speed of supply will go a long way to determining the ability of Ukrainian forces to hold the frontline over what is likely to be a sustained period or Russian offensives over the spring and summer months.

Source: Al Jazeera, Institute for the Study of War