Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that the advance of Russian troops in the Kharkov region indicates, rather, the intentions of the occupiers to create a so-called buffer zone along the international border, rather than to advance deeper into the region.
They explain their conclusions by the fact that on May 13 “Russian troops continued to carry out tactically significant advances to the north and northeast of Kharkov”.
Situation in the Kharkov direction: ISW assessment
— The relatively rapid pace of Russian military advances into Volchansk and reports of their destruction of several bridges over key waterways within the village suggest that Russian forces are favoring the creation of a “buffer zone” rather than deeper penetration. as previously assumed by ISW estimates, — analysts note.
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At the same time, ISW says that they have not recorded confirmation that the occupation forces crossed to the southern (left) bank of the Volchya River in Volchansk or its immediate surroundings.
— It is unclear why Russian forces targeted the bridges they need to cross and provide stable logistics across the Volchya River for offensive operations deep into the northern Kharkov region, so these strikes suggest that Russian forces may prefer immediate victory in an unfortified area in northern Ukraine, — analysts suggest.
The other day, the head of the Center for Military Legal Studies, Alexander Musienko, also suggested that the Russian Federation may consider creating a buffer or sanitary zone in the Kharkov region if the offensive fails.
