The number of Russian attacks across the 1,200 km frontline in Ukraine has surged. An additional 300,000 Russian troops are set to reinforce the current efforts, preparing to unleash their full “manpower and firepower” against Ukraine.
Russia to Reinforce with 300,000 Troops
On May 29, Reuters reported, citing Ukrainian military intelligence, that Russia currently has 500,000 troops deployed in Ukraine and near the border between the two countries. Moscow plans to add another 300,000 troops to bolster its summer offensive.
This information was confirmed by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
In an interview with Reuters, Umerov stated that Russia is deploying more troops and equipment to the front, preparing for a new “push.”
“Russia aims to open a new front in the north to launch their full military force and firepower against us. They continue to strive for the complete destruction of Ukraine. We are resisting, but we need more weapons, more firepower, and long-range missiles to prevent Russian forces from penetrating deeper,” Umerov said.
Even before advancing into the northern Kharkiv region this month, capturing border villages and forcing thousands of Ukrainian civilians to evacuate, Russian forces made gains in Donetsk province, eastern Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Umerov noted that Ukraine is struggling to recruit the necessary number of soldiers to reinforce the front and rotate exhausted troops.
Ukraine will soon receive its first F-16 fighter jets, but about half of the foreign military aid destined for Kyiv arrives late.
“Every delay benefits an adversary that is much larger and better equipped than us along the 1,200 km front,” Umerov emphasized.
Intense Russian Attacks Across the Frontline
A report from the Ukrainian General Staff indicates that Russia is intensifying its offensive activities along the entire front.
“The number of engagements along the fire line increased to 108 on May 28. As of the evening of the same day, intense fighting continued in 18 areas in Ukraine, with the situation in Pokrovsk being the most complicated,” the report stated.
In Kharkiv, Russia launched six attacks on Ukrainian positions since the beginning of the day. Offensive operations continued in the town of Vovchansk. Russian forces used guided aerial bombs, deploying military aircraft to carry out “deadly attacks” from Russian territory without entering Ukrainian airspace.
In Kupyansk, Russia attempted to attack Ukrainian positions 19 times in one day. Intense fighting occurred near Petropavlivka and Druzheliubivka.
Additionally, nine clashes occurred in Kurakhove on May 28. There were also 16 Russian attacks on Lyman, six on Kramatorsk, ten on Pokrovsk, and five on Vremivka.
The Ukrainian General Staff added that Russian forces “persistently” attempted to force Ukrainian units to withdraw from their positions at the Prydniprovske front and other strongholds on the left bank of the Dnipro River, recording a total of ten engagements.
On May 29, Russian forces conducted four mechanized assaults with a small number of combat units along several fronts in Donetsk province.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), based in the U.S., Russia has not achieved significant success in these attacks but may be testing Kyiv’s response after intense clashes in Kharkiv.
Continuous Ukrainian Setbacks
Russian forces have taken control of several settlements in the town of Volchansk, Kharkiv province, according to Russian television channel 1tv on May 29.
1tv military correspondent Semyon Pegov reported from Volchansk: “Russian forces have gained control over at least two or three more settlements despite Ukraine deploying a large number of reserves to this direction. They hoped to blow us away, but not only did we not get blown away, we continued to advance.”
Pegov noted that Ukrainian reserves are attempting to flank Russian forces operating there, but the Russian military is prepared for this scenario.
“We saw along the way that Russian forces attacked the enemy with artillery strikes. Air forces are also actively operating, determined to prevent the enemy from executing their plans,” Pegov said.
On the same day, Russian military expert Boris Rozhin reported that Russia had taken control of Staromayorskoe (Donetsk province), forcing Ukrainian forces to retreat to the northern outskirts of the settlement. This advance is expected to help Russia accelerate the capture of the neighboring settlement of Urozhayny.
Previously, on May 27, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that Russian forces had simultaneously captured the settlements of Ivanovka (Kharkiv province) and Netailovo (Donetsk province).
Vitaly Ganchev, head of the Russian-appointed military-civil administration in Kharkiv, stated on May 24 that Russian armed forces had taken control of 49 settlements in Kharkiv province.
According to Reuters, senior Ukrainian military leaders have recently acknowledged that the situation on the eastern front has deteriorated and shifted unfavorably for Kyiv. Two years of war have depleted Ukraine’s ammunition and manpower, while last year’s failed counteroffensive has diminished morale.
Last month, when Reuters reporters visited the eastern stretch of the 1,200 km frontline, Ukrainian soldiers from infantry, artillery, and drone units appeared exhausted.
Russian attacks on Kharkiv earlier this month may continue to divert Ukraine’s valuable ammunition and forces away from other frontline areas, stretching Kyiv’s military thin at a crucial time in the war.
Moreover, Ukraine’s artillery shortage has become a critical factor in the struggle to repel Russian advances.
