Russia will not be able to take Kharkiv, it changed its target - Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Russia will no longer be able to capture Kharkiv. The occupiers have changed their target, with their new priority now being the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with French media outlets AFP, Le Monde, L'Equipe, and Libération.
"The entire east is challenging. The main target today after they failed to take Kharkiv, and we understand that this will not happen now.. The main target has shifted. Their main direction is not the entire east, although Sloviansk is not excluded, but Pokrovsk, I would say, is their priority," said the president.
He added that Russian forces are focusing on the Pokrovsk direction. This involves not only plans to capture Pokrovsk but also Kostiantynivka, Toretsk, and Sloviansk.
Zelenskyy said that the Russians are concentrating the largest number of personnel, weapons, and guided aviation bombs in the Pokrovsk direction. According to the president, protection against Russian guided bombs can be achieved by destroying enemy aircraft.
"Although I will tell you honestly, they have already lost aircraft, they have lost a corresponding number, but they are also losing their air defense, their air defense system. It is difficult to fight them in the sky, that’s a fact. Their fleet is numerically superior, if you can say so," added the head of state.
Frontline situation
In recent months, Russian occupation forces have intensified attacks on the front. In May, the Russian army launched a renewed offensive in the northern Kharkiv region. The invaders were unable to advance towards Kharkiv, and battles in this direction are ongoing.
The enemy is focusing its main efforts in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk region. The heaviest fighting is taking place in the Pokrovsk direction, where 55 military engagements occurred in the past 24 hours.
Additionally, the Russians have not abandoned their plans to capture the city of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region.
