KHARKIV, UKRAINE, Feb 8 — Kharkiv is ready to repel the Russian army if it tries to occupy the city again, according to the mayor, Ihor Terekhov.

Kharkiv is now better prepared for possible attacks by the Russian army than in 2022, said Ihor Terekhov in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. 

Ihor Terekhov said the city is ready to fight back, commenting on the information about a possible repeat of the Russian army’s offensive on Kharkiv. 

“I cannot know what the president of the Russian Federation wants. No one can know or understand this. But it does not matter. What is important is that we will defend our country and will not allow Russian troops to advance. Today, Kharkiv is more prepared. Two years ago, we did not even think that there would be a full-scale war, and now we have been in this war for two years,” said Ihor Terekhov.

The head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, said that the Russian army currently has no forces and means to attack Kharkiv from the north.

“Yes, we observe certain forces [of the Russian army] there [in the north], though they are there mainly to show their presence. There are no forces [gathered] and means that would indicate an intention to [conduct] an assault. However, we are monitoring the situation 24/7,” Oleh Syniehubov said.

Read more: Russian Missile Attack on Kharkiv Injured Three People

In the Kupiansk direction, the Russians’ actions are predictable. They are amassing forces and conducting rotations, indicating further intensifying offensive actions, said Oleh Syniehubov.