Russia intensifies assault on Ukraine’s Bilohorivka, Luhansk region, amid political pressures

Military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko expressed this opinion on his Telegram channel.

The Russian military command has set a strategic objective for forces in the area: advancing to the administrative borders of the Luhansk region. While framed as a military goal, this push carries significant political weight. The Kremlin is eager to claim full control over at least one of the Ukrainian regions it has declared annexed, using such a victory to bolster its position in potential negotiations. The narrative of “liberating” the so-called ‘Luhansk People’s Republic’ is expected to be a key propaganda tool, possibly culminating in a triumphant speech by Putin on May 9.

To achieve this, Russian troops—particularly units from the 127th and 123rd Motorized Brigades—have ramped up their assaults on Bilohorivka. Currently, Russian forces control parts of the village, including the Water Supply Station and sections of Oktyabrskaya and Pervomaiskaya streets. The main clashes are concentrated along Vodyprovidna Street, while the broader frontline runs between Pervomaiskaya and Syvolapova.

Having held the line since October 2022, Ukrainian defenders have turned Bilohorivka into a symbol of fierce resistance, inflicting heavy losses on Russian troops. The prolonged failure to capture this village has been a persistent embarrassment for Moscow’s forces. However, with political timelines tightening, a renewed and intensified offensive in this sector appears inevitable.