Russia is concentrating troops in three areas near the border with Ukraine. This is reported by the American Institute for the Study of War.

In the Belgorod region in the area of Graivoron-Borisovka-Proletarsky. From here, the offensive can develop towards Zolochiv and Bohodukhiv northwest of Kharkiv or west towards the settlements along the R-45 highway connecting Bohodukhiv and Sumy. Or in both directions.

Also, “limited forces” are concentrated in Kursk and Bryansk regions near the border with Sumy region.

ISW assumes that in this way, Russia continues to stretch Ukrainian forces, and offensive operations in the Sumy-Kharkiv direction will be of a limited nature at least until the northern grouping of Russian troops reaches the planned size.

However, even in this case, there will not be enough forces to surround or capture Kharkiv or Sumy, according to ISW.