The Russian command is intensifying hostilities in several directions simultaneously, seeking to exhaust Ukrainian defenses and break through them at their most vulnerable point. According to sources, in the near future, the Oskil River, Izyum, and the city of Sumy may become key targets for the invaders.
Currently, the Russian Federation is not reducing its pressure on the Liman, which is considered a strategic point for a breakthrough deep into the Donetsk region. However, according to sources, now the main task may be to reach the Oskil River, which will allow the Russians to develop an offensive on Izyum. The goal is to cut the logistical supply routes of the Eastern Group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which holds the defense line from Kupyansk to Siversk.
The Russian command is not limited to one direction. According to sources, the enemy is simultaneously pressing in the Sumy direction, in particular, with the intention of reaching the regional center, Sumy, and then trying to break deep into the Kharkiv region from the northeast.
This deployment of the offensive is consistent with the Kremlin's idea of attempting to operationally encircle Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city. An approach to Kharkiv from Sumy Oblast would create a threat from the flanks, while simultaneously continuing pressure from Kupyansk and Vovchansk.
The Oskil River has already become an important landmark during previous phases of the war. In 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated significant areas on the eastern bank, pushing Russian troops back to Luhansk Oblast. However, the re-concentration of Russian forces in this area indicates an attempt at revenge - with the prospect of encircling the Estuary, cutting off Ukrainian supplies, and destabilizing the entire eastern defense line.
An operational encirclement of Kharkiv currently seems unlikely due to the lack of resources in Russia for a full-scale offensive on several fronts at once. However, the Kremlin is using a proven tactic — simultaneous pressure on several points to find a weak spot and provoke a breakthrough.
According to military analysts, such a strategy allows Russia to disperse the forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, forcing the command to redistribute reserves and respond to potential threats in different regions — from Luhansk to Sumy.
