Russian forces are making a relentless advance into northeastern Ukraine, moving closer to the village of Lyptsi, just 10 miles from the outer ring of Kharkiv. The Ukrainian Army reported that Russian troops attempted to break through their defenses near Lyptsi, but were repelled. Maps of the battlefield show that Russian forces almost reached the outskirts of the village. The Khartia Brigade defending Lyptsi posted a video showing Russian soldiers advancing on foot and engaging in small group attacks, but were forced to withdraw after being targeted with rockets.
The Russian forces opened a new front in Ukraine’s northeast a week ago, capturing about 10 settlements with the goal of stretching Ukraine’s outnumbered forces. By advancing into Ukrainian territory, Russia aims to create a buffer zone to prevent Ukrainian artillery attacks on Russian towns and cities. This strategy could also allow Russia to launch artillery attacks on Kharkiv to inflict hardship on its inhabitants and disrupt its power supply. President Putin stated that the goal of the offensive is to create a buffer zone between Ukraine and Russia.
Further Russian advances could put Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city with a population of 1.2 million, under threat once again. Russian troops previously reached the city’s outer ring in 2022, causing mass evacuations. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov described Russia’s advance as an attempt to sow chaos and panic but stated that there are currently no plans to evacuate the population. The city has become a temporary refuge for civilians fleeing the fighting in surrounding areas.
Kharkiv has faced increasing targeted attacks from Russia, including glide bombs and S-300 antiaircraft missiles. The city’s vulnerability to these attacks is compounded by the lack of effective air defense systems. Ukrainian officials have urged Western partners to send more Patriot air defense systems to protect cities like Kharkiv. Despite assertions from Putin that Russian forces do not plan to take the city, concerns remain about the potential for escalated attacks on Kharkiv’s civilian population.
As Russian forces move closer to Kharkiv, they will face more challenges in the form of urban street fighting in populated areas like Lyptsi. The village is surrounded by a long chain of other villages, meaning that Russian troops would have to fight through over 17 kilometers of built-up areas to reach Kharkiv. This poses a difficult tactical challenge for the advancing Russian forces, who have so far encountered sparsely populated and poorly fortified territories in their offensive. Military experts also note that Russia lacks the forces necessary to conduct a full operation to capture Kharkiv.
