Near Balakleya, the Ukrainian Armed Forces still have the initiative – the Ukrainian offensive has not stalled

The offensive of Ukrainian formations in the Kharkov region continues. Local reports indicate that fierce fighting is taking place.

The editor-in-chief of the Russian service RT, Yulia Martovalieva, writes about this, the PolitNavigator correspondent reports, in her telegram channel, citing operational information from her sources in the 40th separate motorized rifle battalion of the RF Armed Forces.

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“Ukraine used the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system against Kupyansk and Izyum. Kupyansk is under fire for the second time in the last three days. Ukrainian chats warned local residents that they needed to hide in basements, stock up on water, food, medicine and power banks. Destruction as a result of MLRS hits - in the center, in the residential sector near Uzlovaya station. Destruction in Kovsharovka. There are wounded.

Raisins have been shaking since the morning. Civilians are hiding in basements. The market is not working: it has already been hit. The situation is the same as it was at the beginning of the special operation.

In Balakleya, over the past three weeks, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have tried to tear up the road to Izyum. Now the road is under fire, there is a battle in the Volkhov Yar area. There are battles for Shevchenkovo, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces are developing a tank offensive. Chkalovskoye, located 20 km from it, yesterday came under the operational control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The battles are very difficult. In some positions, the UAF retains the advantage,” notes Martovalieva.

At the same time, military correspondent Dmitry Steshin published a screenshot of a message from one of the defenders of Balakleya, who writes that they are holding out only thanks to the support of aviation.

In turn, military correspondent German Kulikovsky (Telegram channel “Older than Edda”) calls to refrain from victorious reports.

“Friends, there is no need to get hyped and write about the failed attacks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, relying on some “sources.” Throughout the entire Balakleya battle, the most difficult battles are taking place; while the enemy has the initiative, our fighters are fighting.

The strategic plan of the Ukrainian command is clear, at least to amateur bloggers and their army friends. The enemy was well prepared (in principle, he was not particularly hiding), he had not yet revealed all his trump cards and had not drawn all his forces into the main phase of the battle,” Kulikovsky emphasizes.

Military observer Boris Rozhin does not agree with the version circulating among military officers that the Armed Forces of Ukraine were distracted in the Kherson direction in order to strike in Kharkov.

“In the Kherson direction, the enemy brought in forces with a total number of up to 15 thousand people. According to estimates, forces with a total number of up to 9 thousand people are currently operating in Kharkovsky. The attack on the Izyum direction was prepared in parallel with the attack on Kherson, and different brigades were prepared for them.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' plans in the Kherson direction were the most ambitious, with access to Berislav, but they could not be realized, despite the losses suffered. Having failed with the Kherson offensive, the enemy expectedly tried to become more active near Kharkov, where the offensive attempts were thwarted, and successfully delivered the expected blow near Balakleya.

Why in this case it was not possible to stop the enemy’s preparation and first strike in a timely manner, we will find out over time. At the current stage, the main task is to stabilize the front and restore control over the Volokhov Yar – Balakleya road,” writes Rozhin.

At the same time, the situation directly near Balakleya is only getting worse.

“During the offensive south of Balakleya, the enemy occupied Krasnaya Gusarovka southeast of Bayrak,” Rozhin informs.

Military correspondent Evgeniy Poddubny also reported alarming information:

“In Andreevka, where the attack on Balakleya began, according to local residents, a large number of enemy armored vehicles and personnel are concentrated.”