The Telegraph: Russia Prepares New Assault On Kharkiv, Dates Are Known

• 5.01.2024, 13:31

The day before, the invaders attacked the city.

Ukraine is preparing for a renewed Russian offensive near Kharkiv as Russia intensifies its bombing of the region. The Telegraph writes about this with a reference to a source in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The publication recalls that the day before the invaders attacked the city and 15 surrounding settlements using missiles, artillery and mortars. The targets included both civilian buildings and military positions in what is seen as preparation for a large-scale offensive in the coming weeks.

“Local military intelligence units believe that Russian troops may be planning increased air attacks this weekend to coincide with Christmas in the Russian Federation, which is celebrated on January 7. ... A ground offensive could begin shortly thereafter, with a possible start date of January 15,” the article says.

As is known, both Russian and Ukrainian troops are fighting for the best positions along the front line, which covers Kupyansk, Svatove and Kreminna, near the border of the Kharkiv region. Moscow has concentrated its resources in this area, trying to advance on Ukrainian-controlled Kreminna and Lyman.

“Meanwhile, Moscow is increasingly targeting the center of Kharkiv, a city it failed to occupy at the start of its invasion in February 2022. Ukraine's second-largest city comes under almost daily missile attacks, targeting residential buildings and a five-star hotel frequented by journalists and aid workers.”