In its latest update, the Institute for the Study of War writes that, “Ukrainian forces in southeastern Kharkiv Oblast are likely exploiting Russian force reallocation to the Southern Axis to conduct an opportunistic yet highly effective counteroffensive northwest of Izyum. Ukrainian forces likely used tactical surprise to advance at least 20km into Russian-held territory in eastern Kharkiv Oblast on September 7, recapturing approximately 400 square kilometers of ground. Russian sources claimed that Russian troops began deploying reinforcements to the area to defend against Ukrainian advances, and the Russian grouping in this area was likely understrength due to previous Russian deployments to support ongoing efforts to capture the remainder of Donetsk Oblast and support the southern axis.”
That raises concern among russians that this Ukrainian counterattack seeks to cut ground their lines of communication in Kupyansk and Izyum, which would allow Ukrainian troops to “isolate the Russian groupings in these areas and retake large swaths of territory”.
