On Wednesday, Ukrainian forces announced battlefield successes in a counterattack that might mark a shift in the war’s momentum, while Kyiv cut gas deliveries on a route via Russian-held territory, heightening the prospect of an energy crisis in Europe.
Following days of gains north and east of Kharkiv, Ukrainian soldiers were within a few kilometers from the Russian border on Wednesday morning, according to a Ukrainian military source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Prior to the assault, Russian soldiers were on the outskirts of Kharkiv, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the border. The advances look to be the quickest that Ukraine has made since driving Russian forces out of Kyiv and the country’s north beginning of April.
If this trend continues, Ukrainian troops may be able to threaten supply lines for Russia’s main offensive force, as well as bring rear logistical targets within Russia itself within striking distance of Ukrainian artillery.
Kyiv has so far revealed just a few specifics about its progress across the Kharkiv area, keeping the whereabouts of its own soldiers along the frontline secret while speaking in broad strokes about overall achievements.