The Economist: Russia Aims to Turn Kharkiv into a «Dead Zone»
The British weekly publication The Economist claims that Russia intends to turn Kharkiv into a «dead zone,» unfit for life. The relevant material was published in the latest issue of the publication.
According to the information, Russian forces significantly intensified the bombing of Kharkiv in December 2023, especially after the problems with American military aid became apparent. Drone attacks have become more frequent, and the city is being shelled with ballistic missiles and guided bombs.
Russian forces are trying to destroy critical infrastructure in Kharkiv and the region. «Double-tap» attacks are observed, where a second strike follows the first in the same location. The publication also reports that Russia has destroyed parts of the western Patriot air defense systems used by Ukraine to defend cities like Kharkiv.
Military sources in Kyiv assert that Russia aims to make Kharkiv a «dead zone,» unsuitable for the peaceful residents. Journalists from The Economist spoke with the mayor of the city, Ihor Terekhov, who refuted this hypothesis, emphasizing that Kharkiv does not plan to surrender.
Terekhov noted that the city needs air defense systems and F-16 fighters to intercept Russian bombers trying to target Kharkiv.
The Economist also notes that Russia is preparing for a major summer offensive. According to Ukrainian sources cited in the publication, Russia is training six divisions in Eastern Siberia (approximately 120,000 troops). On April 3, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Russia is mobilizing an additional 300,000 troops in June. Kharkiv is one of the possible directions for a future strike.
In 2022, Russian forces already tried to capture Kharkiv but were repelled as a result of the autumn counteroffensive. At present, according to local authorities’ estimates, the city is securely defended. Three lines of defensive structures are being created in the Kharkiv region, including reinforced concrete shelters, anti-tank ditches, bunkers, and «dragon’s teeth» (concrete pyramids).
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky noted that there is currently no real threat of an offensive on Kharkiv. Information about a possible Russian attack, in his opinion, is part of a disinformation campaign.
