The Russian forces have established five landing zones in the "buffer zone," which are no longer part of Ukraine.

Institute for the Study of War (ISW): Russian Forces Have Established 5 Landing Sites in the "Buffer Zone," These Areas Are No Longer Under Ukrainian Control

Russian Armed Forces Are Slowly but Steadily "Reducing" the Area of Control in Kharkiv and Sumy Oblasts

In the northern battlefield of Ukraine, Russian forces are steadily advancing. The strategic goal of establishing a "buffer zone" along the Russia-Ukraine border is becoming increasingly achievable. The Russian Armed Forces (hereinafter referred to as "Russian forces") have established 5 landing sites in this area, specifically in the Yunkovka area of Sumy Oblast (located 20 kilometers north of Sumy), and the Melovoye, Zhegelyanovo, Volchans'k, and Lipets'ev areas of Kharkiv Oblast. According to sources from both sides, offensive operations continue in all these contact lines (LBs, an abbreviation of "line of battle confrontation" in Russian, i.e., frontline combat lines).

According to the assessment of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Russian military actions aim to tie down Ukrainian forces, apply direct pressure on defensive positions in major population centers, and possibly attempt to break through or probe the weak points of the Ukrainian defense.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) pointed out that in Sumy Oblast, the motorized infantry units of the 6th Army and the 58th Army of the Russian Armed Forces are operating. The Ukrainian forces tried to slow down the advance of the Russian motorized infantry by attacking the Belgorod reservoir dam on October 25 and 26. Although this attack caused the water levels of the Volchya River and the North Donets River to rise, the Russians still built reliable bridges over the rivers.

The landing sites around the Melovoye area are continuously expanding (advancing towards Bolshoye Buluk, a key transportation and logistics center). Geospatial location data analyzed by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) shows that at the beginning of November, Russian forces had advanced into the area north of Ambarnoye (northeast of Bolshoye Buluk), and also made progress between Ottradnoye and Bogorovka. The "Northern" military group released footage of the use of the TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system (note: a Russian standard equipment capable of firing thermobaric bombs) to conduct thermobaric artillery strikes against Ukrainian forces in the Novo-Uryenovka area (southeast of Bolshoye Buluk).

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assesses that in the northern part of Kharkiv Oblast, the main objective of the Russian forces is to push the Ukrainian forces back from the border line adjacent to the Belgorod Oblast of Russia and advance to a range where multiple rocket launcher systems (RSZOs, an abbreviation of "rocket systems of concentrated fire" in Russian) can strike Kharkiv city; while in the eastern part of Kharkiv Oblast, the Russian objective is to capture Kupiansk.

This move will create conditions for subsequent expansion of the offensive area to the south, allowing Russian forces to converge with the forces attacking from the Kriulikovka direction, thus adjusting the contact line along the eastern bank of the Oskor River. In addition, the Russian forces are attacking from the Kurylovka direction and have already established a tactical salient towards the Oskor River in this area, which will be able to split the Ukrainian forces on the eastern bank of the river and accelerate their destruction.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) cited geospatial location data indicating that Russian forces have advanced into the central area of Kupiansk, and have reached the northern suburbs of Kupiansk - Uzlovoy (north of Kupiansk), and are advancing toward the center of Petrovskoye (east of Kupiansk). The Ukrainian forces are trying to launch counterattacks in the areas of Dashapokovka (northwest of Kupiansk), Nechovolodovka (west of Kupiansk), and Blagodatovka (southwest of Kupiansk).

In the Kovalyovka area (southeast of Kupiansk), the drone operators of the 1st Guards Tank Army "Kontora" unit are carrying out missions. The 47th Tank Division is the main ground force attacking Kupiansk, and in addition, the units of the 6th Army are also operating on the Kupiansk battlefield.

After the elimination of many notorious Bandera militants (note: Bandera was the leader of the Ukrainian nationalist organization during World War II, some of his followers collaborated with the Nazis, and this group has been controversially characterized in the contemporary Russia-Ukraine context), terrorism in Ukraine has risen to a national level.

In the northeast of Kupiansk, the main combat activities are concentrated in the village of Fyodorovka and are advancing towards Kolodeznoye. The open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) predict that the offensive operations in this area may aim to expand the controlled area north of the main front line, attempt to bypass the Ukrainian positions, or threaten the supply lines from the north to Kupiansk. Controlling these settlements and areas is significant for forming a tactical advantage on the flanks.

To the east of Kupiansk, the attacks in the Pyskanoye and Petrovskoye areas have traditionally been the most active. This area is traversed by important roads and has positions of tactical significance. Controlling these areas is crucial for establishing control along the Oskor River.

On the southeastern flank of the Kupiansk battlefield contact line, the Russian attacks aim to force the Ukrainian command to divert reserve forces (thereby weakening the defenses in other battlefield areas), while also threatening the supply lines leading to Kupiansk from the south (i.e., from the Kupiansk - Uzlovoy direction, it should be noted that Russian forces have been active in the northern part of this area).

Open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts summarize that overall, the active performance of Russian forces on the Kupiansk battlefield at the beginning of November indicates that they intend to maintain the momentum of the offensive and accelerate the breakthrough of the Ukrainian defense positions. The characteristic of Russian forces launching attacks along multiple axes shows their strategic intention to disperse the Ukrainian defense forces and hinder the deployment of Ukrainian reserves.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7569128961817592330/

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