ISW explains what is behind Russia's massing of forces in Belgorod region to the border of Ukraine

The Russian occupation army continues to concentrate forces in the western part of the Belgorod region near the border with Ukraine. In this way, the enemy is trying to concentrate and attract Ukrainian troops to the area and prepare for offensive operations.

Putin's troops will try to expand their foothold near the international border in northeastern Ukraine. This is stated in the analysis of the Institute for War Studies.

The analysts noted that the occupiers are concentrating troops near the settlements of Hraivoron, Borysivka, and Proletarskyi in the western part of the Belgorod region. Satellite imagery of the area suggests that Russian forces have expanded their activities at warehouses in the area in recent weeks. However, the current size of the possible concentration of Russian forces in western Belgorod Oblast remains unclear.

A representative of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Andriy Demchenko, said that the Russian occupiers may launch offensive operations in Sumy region or areas of Kharkiv region bordering Sumy region to stretch and consolidate Ukrainian forces further along the international border in the northeast of the country.

The ISW noted that the area of Hraivoron – Borysivka – Proletarsky would provide Russian troops with an opportunity to launch offensive operations southward toward Zolochiv and Bohodukhiv, located 25 kilometers from the state border, or westward toward settlements along the P-45 highway connecting Bohodukhiv to the city of Sumy. The occupiers may also conduct offensive operations in one or both directions, and the concentration of Russian troops here may be aimed at forcing Ukrainian forces to redeploy manpower and equipment to a wider section of the border in Kharkiv and Sumy regions.

As a reminder, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the aggressor country Russia continues to amass occupation troops on the border a few dozen kilometers from the site of the current offensive in Kharkiv region. Obviously, the enemy is preparing new offensive actions.

Earlier, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine stated that Russian occupation units continue to be located near the border with Sumy region, but the size of this group is insufficient to launch full-scale hostilities, as is happening in Kharkiv region. In any case, the Defense Forces are prepared for various scenarios.

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