Russia's retreat from Kharkiv shows its ‘inability’ to seize significant cities: UK

• Ukrainian forces have retaken several towns and villages towards the Russian border

The United Kingdom said in its intelligence report that “the withdrawal of Russian forces from the Kharkiv Oblast is a tacit recognition of Russia’s inability to capture key Ukrainian cities” where they expected limited resistance from the population.

Ukrainian forces are continuing their counter-offensive to the north of Kharkiv, retaking several towns and villages towards the Russian border.

Meanwhile, Russia has prioritized operations in the Donbas, units stationed in the Kharkiv Oblast are “vulnerable to the mobile, and highly motivated, Ukrainian counter-attacking force,” the ministry said. 

“Despite Russia’s success in encircling Kharkiv in the initial stages of the conflict, it has reportedly withdrawn units from the region to reorganize and replenish its forces following heavy losses,” MoD said in a tweet on Thursday. 

Once reconstituted, the ministry said these forces will likely deploy to the eastern bank of the Siverskyi Donets River, “forming a blocking force to protect the western flank of Russia’s main force concentration and main supply routes for operations in the vicinity of Izium.”

Picture Credits: Reuters 

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