Russia-Ukraine War Daily Brief (May 10, 2022)

ISW

Key Takeaway

Ukrainian counteroffensive in northern Kharkiv took further ground and has possibly closed to within 10km of the Russian border. Belarusian authorities are accusing NATO of threatening Belarusian borders, but remain unlikely to join the war. Russian forces in eastern Russian operations around Izyum remain stalled. Russian forces in eastern Ukraine reportly reached the Donetsk-Luhansk administrative border from Popasna, trying to encircle Severodonetsk.

Ukrainian Counteroffensive North of Kharkiv City

Ukrainian counteroffensive north of Kharkiv City continued to successfully push Russian forces toward the Russia-Ukraine border on May 10. Russian forces from the Izyum area are reportedly redeploying northwards to attempt to alleviate the pressure of this counteroffensive. The Ukrainian counteroffensive will likely continue to divert Russian troops and resources from deployment to other axes of advance where fighting has been similarly stalled out.

Belarusian Ministry of Defense escalates false claims of US and NATO preparations to attack Belarus

Belarusian Ministry of Defense escalated its false claims of US and NATO preparations to attack Belarus. Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin announced the second stage of ongoing rapid response forces exercises. The exercises are likely additionally intended to draw NATO attention and possibly disrupt NATO aid to Ukraine. Belarus remains unlikely to join the war in Ukraine. Lukashenko successfully repressed domestic opposition in 2020 and 2021. He is likely unwilling to risk losing his military in a stalled and deteriorating Russian war in Ukrainian.

Read here for more information