Under constant fire

Ukraine braces itself for major offensive on Kharkiv

So-called dragon's teeth are being set up in the Kharkiv region to defend against Russian tanks.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Sergey BOBOK)

The city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine has been under constant fire for weeks. Ukrainian reconnaissance expects the next major Russian offensive to be directed against the metropolis. Russian state TV is already fantasizing about the destruction of Kharkiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi therefore wants "maximum efforts" to be made to protect the city.

Zelensky met with his cabinet on Monday to discuss measures to protect and support Kharkiv. Recent Russian attacks against the city have caused severe destruction there and brought the power supply to a standstill, among other things.

"We are holding our positions"
Leading military officers had previously discussed further measures to protect the city at a meeting of the Stavka, the army's high command. "We are holding our positions, the main thing now is efficient logistics," Selensky outlined the situation on the fronts.

In addition to military measures, diplomatic steps, such as the procurement of new air defense systems, were also discussed. "We are working with our partners to strengthen the air defense system in order to counter Russia's plans for Kharkiv," explained the Ukrainian head of state in his evening video address on Monday.

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"Want to drive people out of the city"
The city is under constant Russian fire from cruise missiles and rockets. "The city is under heavy attack and it looks as if the Russian terrorists are trying to drive people out of the city and are preparing an offensive," said the Austrian Honorary Consul in Kharkiv, Vsevolod Koshemyako, describing the situation.

However, the people would not leave Kharkiv and were very eager to defend their city, said the Ukrainian agricultural entrepreneur, who has represented Austria as Honorary Consul in his region since 2016. According to his estimates, around 500,000 of the 1.5 million inhabitants fled the metropolis after the Russian invasion at the end of February 2022, but in the meantime around 250,000 people have moved to the city from parts of the Kharkiv region that were more affected by the war. As far as he knew, however, the few Austrians living in Kharkiv had left the city in the past two years.

Koschemjako spoke of "many impacts" that were currently not only aimed at the infrastructure, but also affected parts of the city that could not possibly be associated with barracks or military production. Specifically, he mentioned two bombs that hit several residential buildings in the city center on Sunday. "Something like this actually happens every day," he said, reporting on problems with a permanent water and electricity supply.

Russian army plans encirclement
"It is quite difficult to destroy a city with one and a half million inhabitants and very difficult to conquer it," said Koschemjako, referring to current discussions in Russia's state propaganda. However, he thought that Russian troops would now try to encircle Kharkiv and force it to surrender. However, he was convinced that they would not be successful.

Austria should break off economic relations
Austria could help its city with medical equipment and devices, "but the main thing would be for Austria to stop cooperating with Russia, regardless of profitability", he said. In addition, the many Russians living in Austria should feel that they are also responsible for current events in Ukraine.

Koschemjako founded the volunteer battalion "Chartija" in 2022 to defend his homeland. This has since become an official brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard with thousands of soldiers. He himself has a role outside this troop unit and acts as an advisor to the commander of the National Guard, which is subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior. "I help my friends, brothers and sisters to further expand the brigade and organize everything properly," he explained.

Selensky visited the attacked region
"Everything Putin touches turns into ruins," said Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, commenting on the situation in Kharkiv.

Air defenses to be strengthened
However, Kiev will do everything it can to better protect the city from Russian attacks. "We have a solution to strengthen the air defenses here." Selensky also appealed to international allies to do more to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses - and not just in Kharkiv.

The head of state also inspected the progress made in the construction of defense lines along the Russian border. Fears of a new Russian advance towards Ukraine's second largest city after Kiev had recently been growing.