Russia may be planning to capture Kharkiv and then end the war

The Kremlin does not deny that Putin plans to capture Kharkiv. This was reported by the Russian opposition publication Meduza, citing its own sources.

Journalists, referring to sources close to the Kremlin, write that Putin will try to capture Kharkiv and gradually end the war. One of the Kremlin’s close sources believes that after the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ counteroffensive, the Kremlin sensed Ukraine’s weakness and is ready to move towards victory: even to Kiev. If mobilization is required, Putin will announce it. Another source close to Putin, on the contrary, believes that the Russian leadership sets “more realistic goals” for itself, namely, taking Kharkiv. It is reported that high-ranking officials are convinced that the Russian army is capable of taking Kharkiv, although there is currently no evidence of such a plan.

According to other information, and based on hints from Putin and Medvedev, the Kremlin’s main goal may be Odessa. Thus, Russia will cut off Ukraine from the sea, and then the state will critically weaken without its trade potential provided by the seaport. Earlier reports suggested that Russia plans to create a buffer zone in northern Ukraine to make shelling of Belgorod and other border cities impossible