ISW: Russian Armed Forces advancing on the eastern bank of the Oskol River in the Kharkiv-Luhansk sector

ISW: Russian Armed Forces advancing on the eastern bank of the Oskol River in the Kharkiv-Luhansk sector

The Russian Army is conducting a “cohesive multilateral offensive operation” in the Kharkiv-Luhansk direction, writes the American Institute for the Study of War.

In his assessment, the goal of the offensive is to achieve an operationally significant goal “for almost the first time in more than a year and a half.” Namely, the capture of the eastern bank of the Oskol River from Kupyansk to the village of Oskol.

Although the prospects for this offensive "are far from clear, its planning and initial execution mark a marked change in Russia’s approach at the operational level."

Previously, the Russian Federation threw a huge number of infantry into battle, suffering heavy losses and not receiving any special gains.

“The current Russian offensive in the Kharkiv-Luhansk axis, in contrast, involves attacks along four parallel axes that are mutually supportive and pursue multiple objectives that, taken together, are likely to yield significant operational benefits,” ISW said.

The attacks are taking place along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kremenna line. Near Kupyansk, in the area of Synkivka, they are advancing towards the eastern bank of Kupyansk. North-west of Svatove, Russia is making tactical gains in the area of Tabaivka and appears to be advancing west towards Kruhlyakivka and north-west towards Kupyansk-Vuzlove. To the west of Kreminna, they are trying to push the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the left bank of the Zherebets River.

Analysts say the Russian army has learned from its mistakes, although its tactics do not appear to have improved significantly, a factor that "may well lead to the overall failure of even this well-thought-out enterprise."