BBC: Ukrainian military began to advance near Balakleya

The BBC, citing several pro-Russian and Ukrainian telegram channels, reported that the Ukrainian military began to advance near Balakliya: they took control of the village of Verbovka - according to some reports, a military arsenal was located there.

Phillips O'Brien, a military analyst, and professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting a series of unexpected maneuvers.

BBC reports O'Brien that if the Ukrainians achieved operational surprise near Kharkiv, it would show what kind of disorder the Russian army was in.

St. Andrews Phillips O'Brien added:

In addition, everything happens right near the border with Russia. The expert continues if the Russians missed it, their army would be in worse condition than expected. "This is also a good sign that Ukraine is doing fine with the secrecy regime.

St. Andrews O'Brien believes that chaos and disorder reign in the Russian army.

I received information that the Russians knew about the impending attack (near Kharkiv - ed.), but they had nothing to answer. If so, it speaks of a disorder of a different nature and demonstrates the lack of flexibility in the actions of the Russian army, the military analyst said.

A senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute in Washington, Rob Lee, a military expert, also expressed his opinion.

Several Russian telegram channels have been discussing the concentration of Ukrainian forces near Kharkiv over the past month. However, it seems that today Ukraine still managed to achieve surprise, Rob Lee said.

Ukrainian official sources have not yet commented on the offensive near Kharkiv. The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, just wrote on his Telegram channel: "Good day."