ISW: Russia attacks Ukraine in Kharkov with new tactics

(Dan Tri) – The pace of Russia’s attack in the northern region of Kharkiv seems to have slowed down in the past 24 hours.

The war in Ukraine continues to be exciting as Russia attacks on almost all fronts (Illustration: Skynews).

This was possible due to new tactics and large losses of the Russian army.

ISW confirmed that Russia prioritizes creating a `buffer zone` in the border area rather than advancing deeper into the Kharkiv region.

Some Ukrainian defense officials said on May 14 that they believe the situation in the Kharkov area is gradually stabilizing.

Some Russian and Ukrainian sources also said that Moscow forces are using new tactics on this front.

Drone footage allegedly recorded in Volchansk showed Russian infantry operating in densely populated areas in small attack groups, confirming these reports.

However, defense analysts believe that the use of small shock groups could increase Russia’s losses in manpower and equipment and slow down the overall pace of the offensive in this direction.

Ukrainian military observer Konstantin Mashovets noted that the increase in Russian losses in this direction led to a decrease in the overall pace of offensive operations.

The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Moscow forces lost up to 1,740 soldiers in Kharkov in just the past 24 hours, which is a very high loss rate.

ISW could not confirm this figure, but the level of casualties may be consistent with the general slowdown in the pace of advance observed on May 14.

If the pace of operations remains relatively slow, the Russian military will likely focus on consolidating new positions and increasing lateral influence in the Kharkiv region by consolidating forces in Liptsy and Volchansk,

War map of Ukraine in Kharkov on May 14.

Notable comments in ISW’s May 14 report:

First, the pace of Russian offensive activities in the northern Kharkiv region appears to have slowed over the past 24 hours, and the pattern of Russian offensive activity in this area is consistent with ISW’s assessment that Russian forces

Second, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s candidate for the position of Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov outlined his and the Kremlin chief’s priorities for the Russian Defense Ministry in a speech at the Federation Council.

Third, Russian authorities arrested Russian Deputy Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Yury Kuznetsov on May 13 on charges of accepting bribes on a particularly large scale.

Fourth, President Putin appointed former Tula region governor Alexei Dyumin and former Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev as his assistants on May 14, continuing to balance his cabinet in his fifth term.

Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during his visit to Kiev on May 14 that the US is interested in a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine.

On Friday, most likely on May 14, the Ukrainian army attacked a Russian railway line in the Volgograd region.

Seventh, the Russian Army recently made small advances near Liptsy, Volchansk, Svatovo, Chasov Yar, Avdiivka, Donetsk and the Krynki bridgehead.