Russia targets buffer zone in Kharkiv region to secure its frontiers

According to the latest report from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia likely aims to establish a buffer zone in the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine without advancing deep into this area.

"Russian forces' relatively rapid rate of advances in Vovchansk and their reported destruction of several bridges across key waterways within the settlement suggest that Russian forces are prioritising the creation of a "buffer zone," the report states.

ISW notes that there are no reports or indications of Russian forces moving to the south bank of the Volga River or its vicinity. Nonetheless, invaders have targeted bridges over this river to the west and east of Vovchansk.

The think tank suggests it is unclear why Russian forces would demolish bridges they'd need to cross to maintain consistent logistics through Vovcha for potential deeper offensive operations in the northern part of the Kharkiv region. Such actions imply that achieving immediate objectives in the less fortified areas of northern Ukraine may be the focus of the Russian forces.

According to Ukrainian and Western sources, the Russian military aims to establish a 10-kilometre (approximately 6 miles) buffer zone in the Kharkiv region. This would place Kharkiv within the range of Russian artillery while keeping Russian supply centres beyond the reach of Ukrainian forces.