Russian offensive in Kharkiv, 'disaster if city falls'
Author : BNR Web Editors
Russia is said to have launched a new offensive in Ukraine, a top commander of the Ukrainian ground forces reports in an interview. The fighting is said to be in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions in northeastern Ukraine, says correspondent Chris Colijn in Kyiv. 'Russia is attacking much more often.'

According to the commander, in addition to the increasing number of shellings, troop movements are also taking place in the region. Colijn sees that Ukraine is anticipating by launching an attack of its own in the Russian region of Belgorod. 'They are trying to thwart the Russians and thus delay the offensive.'

'Pro-Ukrainian city'
Kharkiv is, after Kyiv, the second city of Ukraine. It has almost one million inhabitants. It would be 'disastrous' if this city were to fall into Russian hands after three years of war. 'It is a very pro-Ukrainian city, a city where people are really proud to belong to Ukraine. So you can hardly imagine that city falling into the hands of the Russians.'

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According to Colijn, however, Kharkiv is under almost constant fire. 'It is a heavily damaged city, the question is whether Ukraine can defend this city without help.'

Over the past year, the Ukrainians have built many additional defensive positions in the area, including trenches, bunkers and anti-tank barriers. 'Everything to make it as difficult as possible for the Russians to break through there,' says Colijn. Kharkiv is 30 kilometres from the Russian border, making it easily accessible for Russian artillery and drones.

Chinese soldiers
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine has identified 155 Chinese who are fighting for Russia. Russia is allegedly recruiting new soldiers in China with the knowledge of the Chinese government, the president claims. Yesterday he announced that two men of Chinese descent had been arrested in Ukraine. He says he assumes that there are many more Chinese active in Ukraine than the 155 who are currently identified.

According to Colijn, it is possible that the two captured soldiers voluntarily joined the Russian army, 'as individuals in a personal capacity'. In that case, it would not be official Chinese involvement in the war. 'It is not the case that the Chinese government is sending people now.'