[Korrespondent] During the May offensive, the Russians planned to partially cordon off Khar'kov
The Russians continue to attack along almost the entire front line. They focus their main efforts on the Pokrovsky and Kupyansky directions.
The Russians planned to partially encircle Khar'kov and put pressure east of the Pechenezh reservoir. The Economist writes about this on Monday, May 20, with reference to “received military plans.”
According to the publication, the operation was allegedly planned by the invaders for May 15-16, but it was postponed by almost a week for unknown reasons.
The Russians seem to have “identified two directions” of attack from both sides of the reservoir. In particular, the offensive in the western direction was supposed to be aimed at bringing Russian troops within artillery range of Khar'kov near the village of Borshcheva.
However, as the publication points out, they were stopped by the 92nd brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which pushed the invaders back 10 kilometers from the initial target.
The Economist adds that in the Volchansky direction the occupiers’ plan was to break through to the Pecheneg city.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said that Russian troops are seeking to attack Kha'rkov, although they understand that it will be “very difficult.”
Let us remind you that on May 17, Russian troops also dropped guided bombs on Khar'kov - on the Kholodnogorsk district of the city. According to the latest data, four civilians were killed and another 29 were injured.