The russian military seemed to have decided to withdraw completely from its positions around Kharkiv due to Ukrainian counterattacks and limited availability of reinforcements. Units of the russian army generally did not try to hold positions against counter-attacking Ukrainian forces over the past few days, - stated in a report by the American Institute for the Study of War [ISW].
"Thus, it seems that Ukraine has won the battle for Kharkiv. Ukrainian forces prevented Russian troops from encircling, let alone seizing Kharkiv, and then expelled them from around the city, as they did to Russian forces attempting to seize Kyiv," the US military experts said.
According to them, Ukrainian troops are likely to try to damage at least the westernmost ground lines of communication [GLOC] between Belgorod and russian forces concentrated around Izyum.
However, russia uses several such lines, including some that are further from Ukraine's current positions than any Ukrainian counter-offensive is likely to reach soon.
"The terrain east of current Ukrainian positions may also favor the Russians attempting to defend their GLOCs, as large water features canalize movement and create chokepoints that the Ukrainians would have to breakthrough," the ISW report said.
"Russian troops continued to advance along the periphery of the Izyum-Donetsk city salient, but made little progress. Russian forces attempted a ground offensive from Izyum that made no progress. Small-scale and unsuccessful attacks on the southern end of the salient near Donetsk City continued but made no real progress" said US military experts.
According to them, russia's main efforts continue to be attempts to encircle Severodonetsk and Lysychansk from the north and from the south.
"Russian troops attacking from Popasna to the north made no significant progress in the last 24 hours. Those moving from north to south have not been able to cross the Siversky Donets river and suffered devastating losses in their attempts. The russians may lack additional fresh combat power offset those losses and continue the offensive on a large enough scale to complete the encirclement, although they will likely continue to try to do so," the ISW said.
According to operative data of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, russia is withdrawing troops from Kharkiv. The enemy did not conduct active hostilities, concentrating its efforts on maintaining occupied positions and supply routes.