The #Russian counterattack in #Kharkhov aims to cut off Ukrainian troops that advanced too far north and east from the city. It is aiming for the Kharkhov - Staryi Saltiv road (T2014) and to retake a town around Cherkaksi and/or Ruski Tyshky, trapping UA forces north of that all 
the way to Lyptsi. The reason this is possible is because there is a dense forest on the west flank of the Kharkhov - Lyptsi road. The troops could be fully or semi trapped because of this as there are no major, even secondary roads through the forest. Whether troop encirclements
Note the Russian shelling so far south of the front line as of yesterday. Two days ago the front was even further north, as Ternova & Rubizhne were captured by Russia in the beginning of this counteroffensive. The front is sparse with units and RU had been tactically withdrawing.
are achieved or not, the main goal of the counterattack is much simpler than that. If Ukraine believes that it has finished with its Khakrhiv offensive, having reached the border in several places, & can now safely move troops to the critical battle in the Donbass, it is mistaken
To remind Ukraine of that is the goal of the counteroffensive. If UA does not leave strong forces in the front, then RU will simply advance again, up to the gates of Kharkhov. If there is not significant resistance there, it will surround the city. Since the #Zelensky gov't is
very sensitive to PR, and does like to lose ground, it is likely to reinforce this front, rather than reinforce the critical ones with troops from it. Ultimately, Ukraine tries to defend everywhere (and thus defends nowhere) so that Russia advances slowly. It cannot stop RU, but
it is not trying to. Zelensky as always is simply playing for time. He believes that in enough time, the west will save Ukraine. The Russians having understood his game, are playing one of their own.
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