Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed intentions to create a “buffer zone” in the northeastern Kharkiv region of Ukraine, emphasizing that current military operations do not include plans to capture the city itself. The assertion is the first direct comment from the Russian leader regarding the offensive initiated on May 10. This development has forged a new front in the ongoing conflict, leading to the displacement of thousands and intensifying regional instability.
The Russian military campaign in Kharkiv was launched following Ukrainian shelling of Russia’s Belgorod region, Putin explained. “I have said publicly that if it continues, we will be forced to create a security zone, a sanitary zone,” Putin stated. He reassured that Russian troops were “advancing daily according to plan,” yet capturing Kharkiv is not currently on the agenda.
Amidst the backdrop of these developments, Ukraine is actively seeking to impede Russian advances. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted two laws aimed at bolstering troop strength. The legislation controversially allows for prisoner enlistment and imposes harsher penalties for draft evasion. The Ukrainian military’s response to the Russian offensive also included a significant drone attack on Crimea that disrupted power in the port city of Sevastopol and targeted Russian military infrastructure.
Russian authorities have reported various incidents, including an attack that left at least two civilians dead and 19 wounded in Kharkiv. According to regional chief Oleh Syniehubov, via his Telegram post, four of the injured are in critical condition. The Russian offensive has notably “expanded the zone of active hostilities by almost 70 kilometers” (45 miles), potentially forcing Ukraine to redistribute its forces and deploy reserve troops.
The Ukrainian military has evacuated approximately 8,000 civilians from the town of Vovchansk and other vulnerable areas. Meanwhile, Russian forces are reported to have made territorial gains in the region.
Separately, Putin dismissed the efficacy of upcoming peace talks in Switzerland, where Ukraine aims to negotiate terms for a peaceful resolution. He characterized these efforts as wishful thinking and reiterated that Russia was not invited to the meetings. Putin suggested that any peace discussions should be grounded in the draft deal from the 2022 Istanbul talks between Russia and Ukraine.
As both sides continue to engage in a grueling conflict with strategic maneuvers and retaliatory strikes, the call for establishing a buffer zone has raised international concerns about the potential for extended fighting and its implications for broader security in the region. Russia’s offensive in northeastern Ukraine and the ongoing drone attacks highlight the evolving nature of this protracted conflict, pushing the front lines and testing the resilience of Ukrainian defenses.
Relevant articles:
– Putin says Russia wants a buffer zone in Ukraine’s Kharkiv but has no plans to capture the city , WSYR, 05/18/2024
– Putin says Russia wants a buffer zone in Ukraine’s Kharkiv but has no plans to capture the city, The Associated Press, 05/17/2024
– Putin says Russia seeks ‘buffer zone’ in Kharkiv; drone attacks knock out power in Crimea, UPI News, 05/17/2024
– Putin says Russia wants buffer zone in Kharkiv, but has no plans to capture the city, Olean Times Herald, 05/17/2024
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