Russian military personnel refuse to attack Kharkiv - ATESH

Fighter of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)

Мilitary personnel from one of the motorized infantry battalions of the 44th Army Corps of the Russian Federation's Armed Forces reportedly refused to participate in the assault in the Kharkiv region, according to the ATESH partisan movement Telegram channel.

The partisans write that they received information from their agent serving in the mentioned battalion.

According to him, the Russian militaries of this unit are well aware of the quality of fortifications on the Russian-Ukrainian border. They also witnessed failed reconnaissance and sabotage operations by Russian forces.

"Given this, when new signs in the form of a rhombus with a cross were applied to the equipment and an order was given, part of the unit refused to carry out the criminal will of the command. (By the way, recognition signs are applied at their own expense) No one wants to go to certain death for any money," the statement said.

Advance on the Kharkiv region and threat to Kharkiv

At the beginning of May, Deputy Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Vadym Skibitskyi stated that Russia is preparing to advance into the Kharkiv and Sumy regions. He noted that the Russians do not have sufficient forces to capture Kharkiv or Sumy, but a hit-and-run operation is possible.

On May 10, the Russian army attempted to break through the defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kharkiv region. The current situation - according to the General Staff.

According to Reuters, Russian forces aim to push Ukrainian defenders back 10 kilometers from the Russian border to create a buffer zone.

The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine stated that the Russians have the resources to escalate actions in border areas of the region, but there is no talk of an advance on Kharkiv.

The US believes that the Russian army may be preparing for a larger-scale advance on Kharkiv.