Kyiv's control of Kharkiv key to ensuring supply chain for Ukrainian forces to fight in Donbas

Kharkiv is the lifeline of the Ukranian forces, ensuring supply lines as they continue to fight against all odds in parts of the Donbas that the Russians want to liberate.

Over the last week, the Ukrainian forces have been pushing their way through, reclaiming key areas in the Kharkiv Oblast (Province) bordering the Donbas region under the control of Russians.

The Russians have retreated from Kharkiv - the second major pull back since the war started on February 24. In the initial phases, the Russians brought in their tanks to invade from the north of Kyiv but were halted about 50 km from the capital city and forced to return with heavy casualties.

Cities like Chernihiv, Irpin, Bucha in the north of Kyiv became a graveyard of Russian tanks as troops were forced to retreat after bloody battles.

Since then, the focus has been on the east and Kharkiv in the northeast, which shares a border with Russia and the Donbas region - critical for both sides.

Kharkiv is the lifeline of the Ukranian forces, ensuring supply lines as they continue to fight against all odds in parts of the Donbas that the Russians want to liberate.

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This is why the Russian assault on Kharkiv continues, as controlling part of the region will ensure Donbas is completely cut off from Ukraine.