UK intelligence names Russia’s purpose in offensive on Kharkiv region

This is stated in a report by the UK Ministry of Defense.

It noted that the newly formed northern group of Russian occupying forces has taken control of several villages in the Kharkiv region. At the same time, fighting is underway for the border town of Vovchansk, which is almost certainly Russia's closest target.

According to British intelligence, by opening up an additional direction for the offensive, Russia is almost certainly trying to divert Ukrainian resources from other parts of the front line and threaten Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city.

At the same time, analysts believe it is unlikely that Russia has amassed enough combat power to capture Kharkiv without sending additional troops to the region.

• On May 14, Defense Express analyst Serhiy Zgurets said he believed that Russia’s offensive in the Kharkiv region was intended not only to stretch the Ukrainian Armed Forces but also to create conditions for offensive actions on the Kupyansk direction.