Ukrainian Ground Forces commander predicts critical phase at front in next two months

Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk, commander of the Ground Forces of Ukraine's armed forces, believes the war will reach a crucial stage within the next two months.

He said this in an interview with The Economist.

As the publication notes, as American aid has just begun to arrive on the front line, Russian generals "are throwing all the combat equipment they have at their disposal to check the exhausted Ukrainian troops, who do not have enough supplies."

"Russia knows that if we get enough weapons within a month or two, the situation can turn against them," Pavliuk said.

He emphasized that Ukraine urgently needs to strengthen its air defense, and the expected delivery of F-16 fighters in early June will be a significant "psychological boost."

The lieutenant general believes Russia will continue focusing on the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. But intelligence suggests that Russian troops will soon stretch their defenses, attacking the northeastern areas of Kharkiv and Sumy.

"Russia is checking the stability of our lines before choosing the most suitable direction," the commander of the Ground Forces said.

He also emphasized that Russia has not given up the idea of capturing Kyiv.

"The defense of Kyiv remains one of our main tasks, no matter how difficult things are in the East. This is the heart of Ukraine, and we know what a key role the defense of the capital will play in the future," the lieutenant general said.

Pavliuk added that Ukraine's armed forces lack artillery and armored vehicles, and Ukraine hopes for help from the West. He said part of the new forces will be deployed to protect the capital.

For reference:

As Rubryka reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that as of the morning of Friday, May 10, the offensive of Russian troops in the direction of Kharkiv had been stopped.

The Ministry of Defense has reported an increase in shelling from the occupiers in the northern direction of the Kharkiv region. At approximately 5 a.m., the enemy attempted to break through Ukraine's defense line with the aid of armored vehicles. Fortunately, Ukrainian troops were able to repel these attacks, and fighting is still ongoing at various intensities. Reserve units have been dispatched to the front to bolster Ukraine's defenses in this area.

Moreover, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Synehubov, reported that the Russian army bombarded the northern area of the region throughout the entire night. Specifically, this includes the city of Vovchansk. The local government is currently evacuating residents, and there are no children left in Vovchansk.

At the same time, according to local authorities, Ukrainian troops have not lost their positions, and there is no threat to Kharkiv.

Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council, also affirmed today that Russia has the capacity to escalate activities in the border regions of Kharkiv. However, he clarified that this does not mean an attack on Kharkiv.

Furthermore, the Ukrainian military had previously issued a warning regarding the enemy's intention to launch an attack on the Kharkiv and Sumy regions.