The Telegraph says Russia preparing new offensive in Kharkiv region: Ukrainian Intelligence's insights
The Telegraph wrote about "Russia's preparations for an offensive in the Kharkiv region" (Getty Images)
The Telegraph writes that Russia is allegedly preparing for a new offensive in the Kharkiv region, which could allegedly take place on January 15 after massive shelling. The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine does not confirm this information but notes that the enemy is still amassing some forces.
The report is based on The Telegraph, a statement by Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, and an exclusive commentary by Andrii Cherniak, representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.
What did The Telegraph write?
The daily British agency The Telegraph published an article dated January 4, 2023, which cites reports from local authorities about the intensification of shelling by Russian troops. In particular, on Thursday, the occupiers launched rocket, artillery, and mortar attacks on Kharkiv and 15 nearby settlements.
The targets were both civilian buildings and military positions, which are seen as "preparation for a large-scale offensive" in the coming weeks, the British newspaper writes, citing a source close to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Telegraph also cites military intelligence sources who told the agency that Russian troops may intensify air attacks this weekend to coincide with Christmas in Russia, which is celebrated on January 7.
The source adds that this is likely to be followed by a new "ground offensive," with January 15 being mentioned as a possible start date.
What does the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine say?
In a comment to RBC-Ukraine, a representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine did not confirm the information of The Telegraph's sources about the alleged preparation of a Russian offensive on January 15. At the same time, he notes that the aggressor is still amassing some forces.
"The DIU records a certain accumulation of enemy forces and means in the Kupiansk direction. This could potentially indicate that the occupiers intend to intensify their offensive in this particular area of the front. At the same time, we cannot say that the Russians are preparing this offensive for January 15," says Chernyak.
At the same time, the representative of the Ukrainian military intelligence adds that all attempts by the occupation forces to implement any strategic or operational level operations have so far been unsuccessful.
The reaction of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration
The head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, has already commented on the sensational Telegraph article during a briefing today. He emphasized that no accumulation of Russian troops has been recorded in various frontline areas in the Kharkiv region.
"We do not observe or record any accumulation (of troops - ed.) at the moment. All the border lines - the situation has not changed, but we are monitoring everything online, our military is taking all the necessary measures to be ready for any developments," said Syniehubov.
He explained that to talk about any intentions of the enemy to launch an offensive, it was necessary to first fix the concentration of its forces in a particular direction. According to him, this is not the case at the moment.
"There are no objective reasons to say that the enemy will soon carry out certain assault actions in this direction (in the North - ed.). However, this situation can change at any moment," said Syniehubov.
At the same time, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration said that Russia had not abandoned its plans to further occupy the territories of the Kharkiv region. Therefore, we need to be prepared. He adds that we also need to be prepared for possible new attacks on the enemy's critical and energy infrastructure.
What is the situation at the front in the Kharkiv region?
The other day, the Army Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskii, said that Russian troops continue intensive offensive actions in the Kupiansk direction and are regrouping in the Lyman direction.
In particular, as the Ukrainian Armed Forces explained, Putin's army wants to capture Kupiansk, to enter it from the north and east to use it as a springboard for further offensive.
In addition, Russia is trying to capture Synkivka in the Kharkiv region at any cost to use in its intentions to reach Kupiansk.
As RBC-Ukraine recently wrote, dynamic developments can be expected in the Lyman-Kupiansk direction. This section of the front is a priority for the enemy.
Read more about this and other developments on the battlefield in RBC-Ukraine's article "Ukrainian achievements in Avdiivka and fierce Russian assaults: Frontline overview".
