The armed forces of Ukraine can reduce the number of attacks on Kharkiv by enemy aircraft, but this requires the permission of Western countries to use Western air defense systems in Russian airspace.
According to recent reports, Russian aircraft are increasingly attacking Kharkiv and its surroundings, using glide bombs and various missile strikes, with the aim of weakening Ukrainian defenses and forcing local residents to evacuate.
ISW experts believe that Russia uses its airspace to carry out attacks on the Kharkiv region, since Western countries do not allow the use of their air defense systems to protect against attacks within the borders of the aggressor state.
"Effective coverage of air defense systems in the Kharkiv area would help the Armed Forces of Ukraine to restrain the actions of Russian aviation. However, this is possible only on the condition that Western partners give permission to Ukraine to use systems to intercept enemy aircraft in Russian airspace," the report states.
Last week, Russia launched a counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region, breaking through the state border and seizing several villages located in the "grey zone", as well as part of the city of Vovchansk.
The defense forces successfully repelled the enemy attack, however, according to the General Staff, Russia is trying to break through the defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the region.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russian troops will not be able to capture the city if Ukrainian forces receive two Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems for deployment in the Kharkiv area.
