Russian presence in Kharkiv region is matter of time - Ukrainian Intelligence chief
Photo: Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Defense Intelligence (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The liberation of the Kharkiv region, currently under Russian control, is a matter of time, states Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Defense Intelligence of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
According to the head of Defense Intelligence, Russian forces attempted to create a buffer zone in the Kharkiv region, but they failed.
"They remain in the occupied territories of the Kharkiv region, but it is a matter of time," emphasized Budanov.
What preceded
In early May, Russia sent tens of thousands of soldiers to advance on the Kharkiv region from the north. They entered the border towns and faced strong resistance from Ukrainian defenders.
By the end of May, as noted by Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Head Oleh Syniehubov, the situation had stabilized. The Russian advance had ceased.
Oleksandr Musiienko, head of the Center for Military and Political Studies, emphasized in a comment to RBC-Ukraine that the goal of the Russians was to semi-encircle Kharkiv to force Ukraine to use its reserves.
He also clarified that if the enemy advanced to within 25-30 kilometers of Kharkiv, they would be able to regularly target the city with their artillery.
