Russians amass strike force for assault on Borova
3:36 PM EDT, June 18, 2024
Russians want to capture Borova in Kharkiv Oblast. For this purpose, they have created a so-called "strike fist," numbering up to 10,000 soldiers. In addition, they have heavy equipment units and artillery. This information was provided by DeepState, which monitors the frontline situation in Ukraine. What do the Ukrainian Armed Forces say?
The Russians still have the initiative on the frontline in Ukraine. They are now preparing to launch another strike. According to the DeepState portal, which monitors military movements, the Russian army has gathered 10,000 soldiers, 450 military equipment units, and 200 artillery systems.
The target is Borova (Kharkiv Oblast), a small town about 12 miles from the assembly point and 62 miles from Kharkiv. The Russians recaptured it in October 2022 during a counteroffensive. Now, the aggressor once again has an eye on the town and is preparing for an assault.
Strike fist: Russians testing Ukrainians
According to the DeepState portal, the Russians have a numerical advantage and have been conducting sporadic attacks on points where the Ukrainians are defending. Analysts reported that the enemy had been carrying out preparatory actions for three weeks, probing weak points in the defense.
Importantly, the Russians are disregarding any losses. Although they lost many soldiers on the front line, more arrived weekly. Replenishments are so dynamic that the Russian army continuously has a numerical advantage on the battlefield.
The DeepState portal notes an improvement in the Russian military's management quality. A worrying signal confirming this is the increasing number of mercenaries participating in the assaults. They die first; only then do conscripts from Russia enter the fight.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) recently indicated that the Russians can supply about 6,000-12,000 recruits to the front each month. Therefore, analysts believe that Russia's operational and strategic reserves are likely insufficient to carry out several large offensive operations simultaneously in different directions in the coming months.
It is known that the Russians have recently moved some troops to the Kharkiv Oblast border. However, it is unclear if these troops will be engaged directly in combat or to increase the numbers of the Northern Grouping in this region.