(Dan Tri) – The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that the Kremlin launched an information campaign hinting at a major attack on Kharkov to get people to flee the city.
Fighting forced many Ukrainians to leave their homes and evacuate to the west or abroad (Illustration: Washington Post).
According to ISW, Russia has stepped up fire attacks and information operations against Ukrainians in the city of Kharkiv.
The Russians are taking advantage of Ukraine’s limited air defense capabilities and rising tensions in Ukraine in anticipation of military support from the United States.
The Kremlin’s mouthpiece is also exploiting concerns about Russia’s upcoming attack on Kharkov to conduct a coordinated information campaign aimed at creating panic among Ukrainian civilians.
ISW estimates the likelihood of a successful Russian ground attack on Kharkiv to be very low if Ukraine quickly receives new military support from the US.
Ukrainian officials have previously discussed the possibility that the Russian military could launch a ground operation against Kharkov later this summer.
However, ISW analysts estimate that the Russians would not have the necessary forces to take the city while the Ukrainian army is fully supplied.
War map of Ukraine on April 22.
Notable comments in ISW’s April 22 report:
First, the Kremlin is conducting a coordinated offensive campaign of air strikes and information warfare, threatening Kharkov, to persuade civilians to flee and evacuate millions of Ukrainians within the country ahead of an attack.
Second, Kremlin mouthpieces are exploiting concerns about a future Russian attack on Kharkov to mount a coordinated information campaign that may be aimed at sowing panic.
ISW estimates the likelihood of a successful Russian ground attack on Kharkiv to be very low if Ukraine quickly receives new military support from the US.
Third, Russia is stepping up fire attacks and information operations against Ukrainians in Kharkiv to take advantage of Kiev’s limited air defense capabilities and increase tensions in a relatively short period of time.
Fourth, Russian troops appear to be aiming to penetrate deep into Ukrainian positions northwest of Avdiivka (Donetsk region), but their ability to do so may be diminished by the emergence of
Thursday, on April 22, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Finland is taking concrete steps to protect itself from Russia’s combined arms activities and migration crises.
Friday, Russian military advances were confirmed in Chasov Yar, Avdiivka and Donetsk, as well as the administrative border areas of Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions.
Seventh, the Russian state’s volunteer drone initiative `Sudoplatov` equips the Russian army operating in the direction of Bakhmut with inexpensive and reportedly faulty drones.