NEW: Russian forces are conducting relatively limited offensive operations along the Russian-Ukrainian border in northern Kharkiv Oblast and continued to make tactically significant gains in likely less defended areas. 🧵(1/6)
2/ The reported sizes of the Russian elements committed to these limited operations and of the Russian force grouping deployed along the border in NE Ukraine indicate that Russian forces are not pursuing a large-scale operation to envelop, encircle, or seize Kharkiv City at this time.
3/ Russian forces reportedly launched offensive operations along the Russian-Ukrainian border in northern Kharkiv Oblast before they had completed bringing the Northern Grouping of Forces up to its reported planned end strength and have so far only committed a limited amount of combat power to offensive operations in the area.
4/ Russian forces will likely introduce reserves to intensify ongoing offensive operations in the area in the coming days, but Russian forces lack the necessary manpower required to attempt a large-scale offensive operation to envelop, encircle, or seize Kharkiv City according to all available reports.
5/ ISW continues to assess that the Russian offensive operations in northern Kharkiv Oblast likely aim to draw Ukrainian forces from other sectors of the front while allowing Russian forces to advance to within tube artillery range of Kharkiv City.
6/ The seizure of Kharkiv City is most certainly a desired operational objective for Russian forces, but not one that the Russian military appears to be pursuing in the near term.
Latest on Ukraine: isw.pub/UkrWar051124
Latest on Ukraine: isw.pub/UkrWar051124
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