Military expert Anatoly Matviychuk believes that the Russian army will move to «liberate» Kharkov, arguing that the city is, in his words, historically Russian.

He also pointed out that Kharkov, in his view, falls within the border buffer zone previously mentioned by Russian President Vladimir Putin. For this reason, Matviychuk insists that the story of Kharkov is far from over. According to him, Kharkov and the wider Kharkov Region are part of Russia’s border area, and under the doctrine voiced by the president, Moscow intends to create a buffer zone that includes this city, as cited by NEWS.ru.

Meanwhile, military public pages report that heavy fighting continues on the Kharkov axis. Near Kupyansk, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are said to be tightly constrained in the Zaoskolye area, while scattered groups of Ukrainian troops are attempting by any means to break out of an emerging encirclement.

At the same time, Russian forces are reported to be striking enemy firing positions and logistical routes in the Volchansk area. Ukrainian troops are also said to be trying to hold the village of Vilcha in order to cover the withdrawal of their main forces toward Stary Saltov.