The pace of the Russian offensive in the north of Kharkiv Region continues to drop. However, dictator Vladimir Putin downplayed the threat of Ukrainian counteroffensives and insisted on continuing the occupation of Ukrainian territories.
According to a report by the U.S. Institute for the Study of War, "The limited Russian offensives in northern Kharkiv Oblast indicate that Putin and military commanders believe the Russians are capable of advancing and entrenching themselves on any section of the front, ignoring the possibility of Ukrainian counterattacks or Ukrainian counteroffensives in the future."
Analysts believe that Putin's confidence in the occupiers' ability to advance and consolidate on any section of the front is based on several months of a gradual offensive in Donbas.
However, according to experts at the Institute for the Study of War, this calculation "fundamentally misjudges the tactical capabilities of the Ukrainian troops, which will be significantly strengthened with the start of deliveries of U.S. military aid in significant amounts."
The experts emphasize that it is extremely important that the Ukrainian armed forces can conduct large-scale counter-offensive operations, which will contribute to changing the balance of forces on the front.
