The offensive operation of the Russian military on the territory of Ukraine, according to experts, is just gaining momentum. Analysts emphasize that the actions of the Russian army in May unfold according to the scenarios of previous stages of the large-scale invasion, but have their own peculiarities in the choice of strike directions and tactical approaches.
This is reported by Finway
Key Directions of Russia’s Offensive in May
According to Pavel Lakiychuk, head of military security programs at the Globalist Center “Strategy XXI”, the Russian command is paying the most attention to attempts to encircle the grouping of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the northwestern Donbas, as well as advancing westward in the Zaporizhzhia direction. At the same time, there is an increase in combat activities in the Lyman direction, which, in the expert’s opinion, has strategic significance for the plans of the Russian Federation.
“It is not entirely correct to say that the enemy’s offensive has failed. Rather, it is just beginning. With the gradual increase of efforts both in the Donetsk direction and in the south, it is already possible to identify and imagine the main directions of the main strikes determined by the Russian command,” said Lakiychuk.
Tactical Changes and New Challenges for Ukraine’s Defense
Pavel Lakiychuk noted a certain transformation in the tactics of the Russian Armed Forces in the Kupiansk direction in the Kharkiv region. According to him, Russian units have abandoned attempts to completely encircle the agglomeration, as this would require a complex operation to cross the Oskil River from both sides. Instead, the enemy has focused on frontal advancement on the left bank of the Oskil, which allows them to expect tactical gains without the risk of significant losses.
The expert pointed out that the enemy seeks to stretch the reserves of the Ukrainian defense by “igniting” the front line over as wide an area as possible. According to Lakiychuk, special attention should be paid to the direction towards Sloviansk – a strategic goal to create a “northern pincer” to encircle the positions of Ukrainian forces in the northwestern part of the Donbas.
Whether the Russian command will be able to achieve its set goals largely depends on the ability of the Ukrainian Defense Forces to effectively utilize available resources and reserves to organize a sustainable defense. According to experts, the tension in key directions along the front will only increase, as Russian troops seek to force the Armed Forces of Ukraine to disperse their forces along the entire line of contact.
At the same time, the commander of the National Guard commented on Russia’s capabilities regarding the renewal of a large-scale offensive on Kyiv, but currently, the details of this issue remain undisclosed.