The West’s policy against striking Russia has played a significant role in the new offensive unfolding in Ukraine. As Russia launches a major offensive in the Kharkiv region, military analysts believe that Russia is taking advantage of the fact that several Western countries do not allow their weapons to be used on Russian soil.
With Russia claiming to have seized nine border settlements and amassing between 30,000 to 50,000 troops in the region, the scale and ferocity of the attack have caught Ukraine by surprise. While Russia’s main effort is believed to be in the Donbas region, opening a second front forces Ukraine to spread its resources even more thinly, leaving them vulnerable on the frontline.
Russia’s military objectives in this new offensive include creating a “buffer zone” to protect the Russian border town of Belgorod and threatening the major Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. By pushing forward and positioning their artillery within range, Russia aims to achieve strategic advantages in the region.
However, the West’s policy against striking Russia on their territory limits Ukraine’s ability to target Russian forces as they prepare for the offensive. This restriction poses challenges for Ukraine in responding effectively to the escalating situation.
As the conflict continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the dynamics on the battlefield will shift and how Russia’s considerable forces in reserve will impact the ongoing offensive in Ukraine.