Within a few days, Ukraine managed to recapture several cities around Kharkiv. What is the political importance of these cities? Will Kyiv be able to maintain control?
Within a few days Ukraine managed to recapture several cities around the Kharkiv. What is the political importance of these cities? Will Kyiv be able to maintain control?
These are the surprising numbers in Ukraine: as of September 6, the Ukrainian army has liberated more than 6,000 square kilometers and above 300 settlements with a total population of about 150,000 in the Kharkiv region, according to Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hana Malyar.
The Russians had quickly taken over the area from the start of the February 24 invasion. For Ukraine it is now the second major success since late March, when the Russian offensive on Kyiv failed and Moscow withdrew its troops north of the capital.
Izium, the gateway to Donbass
THE Izium it is considered the most important city that Ukraine managed to recapture. About 50,000 people lived there before the Russian invasion. It is located in its southeast Kharkiv on the strategically important main road M-03. This road connects Kharkiv with the city of Sloviansk in neighboring Donetsk. Izium is only 50 kilometers from the city of Sloviansk and is the gateway to the Donbas coal mine.
From the outbreak of war in Donbass in 2014 this highway has become one of the central arteries of Ukraine. Izium is not only important as a transport hub. There is also a weapons factory in the city, owned by the state-owned company Ukroboronprom. The plant is the only optical fiber manufacturer in Ukraine. Most of the devices used at night by the Ukrainian army are manufactured there.
The city is also important Kupyansk, the second most important railway hub in the Kharkiv region. The city is located in the north and is only 40 kilometers from the border with Russia. Russian forces used Kupyansk to transport supplies to the front near Izium. About 60,000 people lived in the city before the invasion.
Balaklia, arms depot and natural gas field
THE Bullshit it was one of the first cities to be liberated in the Kharkiv region. About 27,000 inhabitants lived in the area before the war. In 2017 the city made headlines when an ammunition depot exploded. It once housed Ukraine’s largest ammunition depot, a legacy of the Soviet Union. The authorities in Kyiv spoke of sabotage. The region is also important for the supply of natural gas to Ukraine. There is the Selinka natural gas field, the largest in the country.
After the success of the last few days, Ukraine is trying to liberate new areas as well. However, the pace has slowed significantly. The key issue in the coming weeks is how likely he is to hold on to the ground that has already been released. Political observers do not rule out Russia regrouping its forces and attacking the north again. The leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, even declared that the lost territories would quickly return to Moscow’s control.
However, things will not be easy for the Russian military. Ukraine is currently trying to advance south into the Kherson region. Due to its proximity to Crimea, Russia considers Kherson much more important than Kharkiv and for this reason has proceeded to greatly strengthen its forces.
DW – Roman Gosarenko – Editor: Maria Rigoutsou
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I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
