Kharkiv on the Brink: Facing a Potential 'Gray Zone' Transformation

The Economist, referencing military sources in Kyiv, suggests that Russia plans to transform Kharkiv into a "gray zone," making it uninhabitable for civilians. In a statement on Sunday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the world needs to be aware of the hardships Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities are enduring.

The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terechow, strongly refuted these claims. In an interview at a covert location within the industrial district, he declared that Kharkiv "will not surrender."

A Ukrainian intelligence source revealed that Russia currently mobilises six divisions (approximately 120,000 soldiers) in Eastern Siberia. According to the report, "Kharkiv stands as one of the potential targets for an upcoming offensive," a narrative gaining traction in Russian media outlets.

"To capture the city, Russia would need to breach Ukraine's defenses and encircle it, achieve air superiority—currently out of their reach—and win a prolonged urban battle," states The Economist.

President Zelensky, on Sunday evening, reiterated that the global community needs to be informed about the atrocities inflicted on Kharkiv and other cities under Russian attack. He reiterated his plea for enhanced air defence support for Ukraine.

"It's evident that the existing capabilities of Ukraine's air defence are inadequate, a fact that is clear to our allies," he observed.

"The world must acknowledge the suffering caused by the Russians in Kharkiv, Kupiansk, Donetsk region cities, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy region, and many other Ukrainian communities," he stressed.

He mentioned that "there are defensive systems capable of offering assistance. What's required is the political determination to deliver these systems to Ukraine."

On Saturday, Russian drone and missile strikes led to the death of six individuals in Kharkiv, located in the northeast of Ukraine.

In recent weeks, Russian forces have targeted numerous energy facilities in Kharkiv and its surrounding area, leading to enforced power outage schedules. On Thursday, Oleg Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv regional administration, reported to the UNIAN agency that Kharkiv faces an energy shortfall of 100 to 200 megawatts.