For Russia, Izyum is seen as a strategically vital area of control in its efforts to gain full control of Donbass.
Through the region, southeast of Kharkiv, there is a highway from Belgorod, Moscow’s main logistics center, about 25 miles within its own borders, to Ukraine’s main industrial region.
The capture of Kharkiv is seen as a major coup for Ukraine’s armed forces, as it will allow them to launch additional counterattacks on Russian supply lines as the conflict drags on.
A report published by military analysts at Rochan Consulting said Ukraine would be able to direct Belgorod directly with artillery fire, as well as other routes used by Russia to replenish its battle-stricken forces.
“Through its artillery, Kyiv forces will be able to strike at Russian positions near Belgorod, its logistics centers, reconstruction bases and concentration zones,” the report said.
“At the same time, the Ukrainians will be able to defeat Russian logistics lines passing through Vovenchansk, thus impairing Russia’s ability to supply its units around Izyum from Belgorod.
Ukraine said on Monday that its troops had already managed to destroy a Russian arms depot in Izyum.
“The defense forces fired on enemy warehouses located in the city of Izyum, destroying a significant stockpile of ammunition,” said the General Staff of Ukraine.
The Institute for War Research, a US-based think tank, said Russia’s exhausted forces appeared to have abandoned a “large-scale encirclement” of Ukrainian troops in part of Donbas.
Add Comment