Strategic Priority: General Explained Why the Enemy Became Active in the Kharkiv Direction.

Russia Chose the Kharkiv Direction for an Offensive

The invaders are trying to restore their position on the Kupiansk section of the front, as Russia has identified the Kharkiv direction as one of its strategic tasks. This was reported by General, former head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Mykola Malomuzh.

"First of all, it should be noted that now Russia has identified several strategic directions for an offensive, therefore Kharkiv is one of them. The direction from the north is ineffective, meaning they are trying to restore the situation in Vovchansk itself, in other places, and now they have moved, of course, to Kupiansk. This is the direction that was historically strategically important, where they concentrated up to 110 thousand at one Time, and attempts were made to advance on Kharkiv. It was not successful then. We repelled the attacks and stabilized the situation",

He added that the new strategy of the Russian invaders is to break through the Oskil River and take the Kharkiv direction. This leads to a new concentration of Russian troops in this direction.

"They brought up reserves of armored vehicles, new anti-aircraft missile systems, and of course, strike aviation and drones... They are trying to start a strategic attack anew, but first of all, of course, to capture all communication routes, including the Oskil River. This situation provides new prospects not only to block logistics for our troops, as they believe, but also to further develop the offensive operation, thinking that there are no stronger engineering structures and natural barriers there",

The General emphasized that because of this, there is a high concentration of fire in the Kharkiv direction. The local residents are constantly under attack, and the Russians are shelling residential buildings and infrastructure.

"Therefore, living there, especially during the fall-winter period, is almost impossible, and evacuation is a reasonable decision. But we see this strategy and are preparing not only with defense but also with new tactics. We deliver unexpected counter-strikes and flank attacks"

He reminded that the Russian invaders are using a rehearsed model that was used in Vuhledar: they bypass settlements from the flanks, destroy them and encircle them, forcing Ukrainian troops to withdraw their forces.

"Therefore, now they are shelling Kupiansk and other settlements to reduce the possibility of defense and move forward. I believe that in the coming weeks this direction will become one of the active theaters of military operations"