The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrsky, confirmed that the spring-summer offensive campaign of the Russian army "has actually already begun". Data from the front shows a significant escalation of hostilities, especially in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions, as well as in the Donbass, summarizes the BBC.
The first signs of preparations for a new Russian offensive were observed at the end of winter. In the Donbass, activity decreased, which allowed Ukrainian forces to carry out counterattacks. In late March, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia was preparing for a new large-scale operation, and Syrsky officially confirmed its start on April 9.
According to the General Staff of Ukraine, the daily number of battles has doubled, reaching over 200 by the end of March and stabilizing at around 150-160 in early April.
The main objectives of the Russian army remain the agglomerations around Pokrovsk and Kramatorsk. In the Pokrovsk area, Ukrainian defenses have stabilized between the villages of Shevchenko and Kotlyno, but fighting continues. In order to begin the battle for Kramatorsk, Russian forces must first capture Chasov Yar and Toretsk.
To the north, in the Liman direction, the Russian army has expanded its bridgehead on the west bank of the Zherebets River, heading towards Liman and the Oskol River. A possible encirclement of Ukrainian positions in Seversk and Slavyansk could lead to a logistical collapse in the region.
Russia has stepped up offensive operations in Sumy and Kharkiv regions. In Sumy region, Russian forces have crossed the border and are fighting in the area of the villages of Basovka, Novenkoe and Zhuravka. Their goal is to create a buffer zone and a possible semi-encirclement of the city of Sumy. Ukrainian forces have conducted operations in Belgorod region, establishing bridgeheads in Demidovka and Popovka.
In Kharkiv region, Russia is trying to expand its control around Volchansk and the Oskol River. The bridgeheads created near Topol, Dvurechnaya and Novomlinsk threaten Kupyansk and the surrounding areas.
Military analysts note that the resources of the Russian grouping "Sever" are about 62-65 thousand people, including airborne forces and marines. There is also speculation about the presence of up to four North Korean brigades, although Ukraine has not confirmed that their fighters have crossed the border.
Ukraine continues to mobilize forces. According to President Zelensky, the presence of Ukrainian units in the Belgorod region has prevented Russia from creating a strike group to attack Sumy and Kharkiv.
Military experts warn that Russia has the potential to create 15 more divisions and increase its army by up to 150,000 people by 2024. Currently, there are about 623,000 Russian military personnel on the territory of Ukraine.
The Russian offensive is entering an active phase, but so far the successes have been mainly tactical. Ukraine is relying on counterattacks, international assistance and its own mobilization to maintain its positions. Despite the Kremlin's statements of peaceful intentions, as Zelensky stressed, the reality on the battlefield shows the opposite.
The plane on which US special envoy Steve Witkoff had previously flown to Russia landed in St. Petersburg on Friday morning, according to the flight tracking service FlightRadar24.
The American publication Axios, reporting on the visit of US President's special envoy Steven Witkoff to Russia, also wrote about the possibility of Washington introducing new sanctions against Moscow.
According to the publication, Trump is dissatisfied with the lack of progress in the ceasefire talks in Ukraine and recently said that he was "furious" with Moscow's position.