Ukraine suffers Russian "revenge" after Kharkov counter-offensive
This weekend -coinciding with the 200th day of war- the Ukrainian army has carried out an important counter-offensive in which it has recovered several strategic cities. The Ukrainian flag flew again in Kupiansk, Balakliya and Izyum, previously under Russian control.
According to the Institute for the Study of War, Ukrainian forces have managed to liberate more than 3,000 square kilometres in recent days, more territory than Russian troops have captured since April. The capture of Valikiy Burluk also brings Ukrainian forces to within 15 kilometres of the Russian border.
However, these important victories have provoked Russia's anger, which has responded by attacking energy facilities such as the Kharkov power plant. The mayor of the Ukrainian city, Ihor Terekhov, described the attacks as an act of 'revenge' for the recent counteroffensive. In addition to Kharkov, other areas such as Dnipro, Sumy and Poltava have been affected by shelling of the power grid.
"The aim is to deprive people of light and heat," Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenky said in a Telegram statement. The Ukrainian leader has also addressed Russia directly, assuring that neither "cold, hunger, darkness and thirst are not as terrifying and deadly as your 'friendship and brotherhood'". "Do you still think you can scare us, break us? Did you really not understand anything?" asks Zelensky.
In addition to damaging the electrical infrastructure in Kharkov, the Russian authorities in control of Ukraine's Zaporiyia nuclear power plant have stopped the last remaining reactor from operating. Europe's largest nuclear facility was present during the latest phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.
In the course of the conversation, the Russian leader warned of "catastrophic consequences" due to "regular Ukrainian attacks on the facility", as announced by the Kremlin. Macron, for his part, urged the withdrawal of Russian troops and weapons from the plant in line with the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
In recent weeks, Ukraine has gained significant momentum thanks to cooperation with US intelligence and weapons sent by the West. These developments are perceived in Russia as a major humiliation, although military commanders see it as a 'regrouping' of their forces.
Recent events in Ukraine have also caused even pro-Kremlin propagandists to question the conduct of the so-called 'special military operation'. Others are also calling for a full mobilisation against the neighbouring country.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has also criticised the latest defeats of the Russian army. Kadyrov said that if "changes are not made in the planning of the special military operation" he will be "forced" to go to the Kremlin to explain the situation on the ground.
"I am not a strategist like those in the Defence Ministry, but it is clear that mistakes were made," he said in Telegram. However, the Chechen leader has assured that all cities "will return to Russian control" and that they will reach Odessa "in the nearest future". In April, Kadyrov also announced that Kiev and "all other cities" would soon be taken.
Since the beginning of the invasion, Kadyrov has reaffirmed his alliance with Moscow, sending several battalions to Ukraine to fight alongside Russian troops. The Chechen leader, as well as other senior military officials, have maintained harsh rhetoric against the Ukrainian government, which they accuse of being a 'Nazi regime'.
On the other hand, this is not the first time he has expressed his rejection of the Russian army's actions. In early March, shortly after the invasion began, Kadyrov described the military tactics of Russian troops as "weak" and called for the "quick, clear and effective" seizure of Kharkov and Kiev.