Russia planned summer offensives on both Kharkiv and Sumy, sources say
Russia was planning to launch a major offensive on Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts in the first half of June 2024, a high-ranking source in the Ukrainian military told NV on Nov. 22.
The preparations for the operation were completed by the end of May. Moscow planned to involve two army corps and one army for the operation.
The attack was to be carried out by approximately 46,000 Russian troops deployed in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast — just across the border from Kharkiv. Another 23,000 troops were to invade Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast.
The initial strike was aimed at Kharkiv, with an advance on Sumy and deeper into Ukraine to follow in 3-4 days.
However, according to our source, Kyiv redeployed some of its forces within 10-15 kilometers of the international border in Kharkiv Oblast in time to establish defensive lines, thanks to intelligence information.
In the end, the Russians became bogged down in border battles and suffered significant losses. Even after reinforcing the initial strike with forces pulled from Kupyansk and Sumy directions, the enemy remained largely tied down fighting in Kharkiv Oblast.
Ultimately, the operation was put on hold, with Russia focusing on the offensives at Pokrovsk and Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast.
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