On May 10, Ukrainian officials acknowledged that Russian ground forces were attempting to break through Ukraine’s defensive lines in the area surrounding the strategically valuable city of Kharkiv early in the morning. The White House also announced that Russia had begun a series of long-range fires against nearby towns, possibly in preparation for a major operation.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated during a press call that the Biden administration had been anticipating that Russia would launch an offensive against Kharkiv and had been coordinating closely with Ukraine to help them prepare. The United States is confident in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and has been working diligently to provide them with the equipment, tools, and weapons necessary for defense against these attacks.
Ukraine successfully repelled Russian troops from the region surrounding Kharkiv in 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion. The city was the second largest in Ukraine at that time. Since then, Moscow’s forces have been amassing near the border for several weeks and repeatedly targeted the region’s critical infrastructure over the winter, including through missile attacks on Ukraine’s energy supply.
Kirby reported that Russian forces also intensified cross-border artillery and missile fires and launched ground incursions about 30 miles northeast and 15 miles north of Kharkiv. This action likely marks the beginning of the summer campaign season, when ground operations for both militaries become more viable as weather conditions improve.
The spokesperson also placed some blame on Republicans in the House of Representatives for Ukraine’s weakened position, citing their delay in passing a supplemental security spending bill for several months until finally passing it last month. He said that this delay put Russia at an advantage and it will take time for Ukraine to regain the initiative.
Kirby acknowledged that Russia has gained “key advantages” in recent weeks, having secured new “tactical advances” along Ukraine’s eastern flank. Thus, he said it is “certainly possible” that Moscow will launch “larger assaults directly on the city,” but the administration does not believe Russia will succeed in making any major breakthroughs.
Ukraine has ordered reinforcements from its stretched front lines to help shore up the region surrounding Kharkiv and prevent further Russian incursion.