What happened? Ukrainian forces in Kharkiv Oblast have penetrated russian lines to a depth of up to 70 kilometers. The Ukrainians may completely capture the city of Izium in 48 hours if they have not done so yet.
Source. Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Details. “Ukrainian troops have liberated over 3,000 square kilometers of territory in the past five days since September 6 – more territory than russian troops have captured in all their operations since April,” the report says.
It is noted that the liberation of Izium will be the most significant military achievement of Ukraine after the victory in the Battle of Kyiv in March.
Analysts note that the Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kharkiv Oblast is collapsing russian positions on the northern Donbas axis.
The return of Izium to the control of Ukraine will prevent the russian advance along the E40 highway that the russians sought to use to outflank Ukrainian positions along the Slovyansk – Kramatorsk line.
The ISW adds that a successful encirclement of the russians fleeing Izium would result in the destruction or capture of significant occupying forces and exacerbate the problems of the russian army.
“russian war correspondents also reported the challenges when evacuating from Izium, indicating Ukrainian forces are at least partially closing a cauldron in some areas,” reports the Institute for the Study of War.