UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Dec 24 – In the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops attack Ukrainian troops only at night or during the day when it is raining, snowing, or foggy. They also use only mechanized equipment to conduct assault operations, said Yevhen Romanov, spokesman for the “Kharkiv” group of forces.  

Russia started its offensive north and northeast in the Kharkiv region on May 10, but Ukrainian troops have stabilized the frontline in this section since. Now, heavy battles are ongoing in and around Vovchansk (three miles from the border, 46 miles away from Kharkiv) and near Lyptsi (six miles from the border, 12 miles from Kharkiv.)

Yevhen Romanov said that Russia’s use of such tactics is likely due to “the Russian command’s concern about the lack of armored vehicles in their army.”

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on December 23 that Russians didn’t make “any confirmed advances” against Ukrainian positions in the Kharkiv direction over the past day. 

On the Kupiansk axis, the ISW confirmed the Russian advance near Zahryzove along R-79 highway, pushing further along the left bank of the Oskil River. 

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  • In the Kharkiv direction, the Russians have built up enough manpower and equipment to launch a second offensive from the north, said Oleksandr Danylenko, head of the communication for the “Gart” border guard brigade, to Ukrainian outlet Suspilne.