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Experts warn that Russia's tactics could cause Kharkov to fall 0
(Dan Tri) – Military experts warn that Ukraine could lose its second largest city, Kharkov, in a few months if Russia maintains its strategy of attacking slowly but causing great attrition.
Destroyed cars amid rubble in Kharkov (Photo: Reuters).
Kharkov – Ukraine’s second largest city, located just a few dozen kilometers from the Russian border – is an attractive target that Moscow is eyeing and Kiev understands that, according to Newsweek.
`Kharkov is one of the major cities of Ukraine, so it has great symbolic significance,` Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier this month.
The Ukrainian President added that Kiev is `doing everything possible` to prevent Russian forces from entering and taking control of the city.
However, there are urgent questions about how long Ukraine can hold out in and around Kharkiv if Kiev remains lacking vital US military support and Moscow is determined to take the city.
Even as aid flows to Ukraine continue to stall, `a successful attack on Kharkov would be impossible,` said Jacob Parakilas, a researcher on defense strategy, policy and capabilities at RAND.
Kharov is located very close to the Russian border, so a slow but attrition offensive could give Moscow control of the city within months, Mr. Parakilas predicted.
Due to its proximity to Russia, Kharkiv becomes more vulnerable because Moscow has better tools, attack positions and support systems.
Ukrainian officials still express their determination to protect Kharkov to the end.
`In the event of an attack, can the Ukrainian defense forces defend Kharkov without American military support? We can!`, Colonel Andriy Zadubinnyi, from the Khortytsia forces
`However, that will come at the cost of tens of thousands of lives of Ukrainian soldiers,` he admitted.
`Without America’s help, we will face difficulties. But we have no other choice. We must face death,` Mr. Zadbinnyi said.
It remains unclear whether Russia will prioritize targeting Kharkov, as that would mean it may have to divert resources from Donetsk.
`Russia’s main efforts are concentrated in Donbass. However, we cannot rule out any options,` Mr. Zadubinnyi emphasized.
Even so, Kharkiv has faced repeated Russian attacks in recent weeks.
`Due to its proximity to the border, the Khakov area is attacked by Russia almost every day with guided bombs and missiles,` Mr. Zadubinnyi said.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly emphasized calls for the West to provide air defense systems.