Slobozhan offensive operation: prerequisites and the first stage (September, 6—12, 2022)

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to reproduce the course of events of the fi rst stage of the Slobozhan offensive operation of Ukrainian troops, which lasted from September 6 to 12, 2022.

The novelty of the article is that this operation has not yet been studied in domestic historiography.

The research methodology is based on the involvement of a wide range of official and unoffi cial sources, the application of the problem-chronological and the method of analysis and synthesis.

Main results. The initial Slobozhan offensive operation was preceded by a campaign to disinformation the enemy about the plans of the Ukrainian command, as a result of which the Russians transferred part of their troops from the Kharkiv region to the Kherson region. Th is created favorable conditions for the offensive, which began on September 6, 2022 in the Balaklia area. The offensive was based on the interaction of heavy (tank and mechanized) units with light motorized raid groups with the active support of long-range artillery and multiple launch rocket systems. Aft er the breakthrough of enemy defense by tank and mechanized units, mobile raiding groups developed success. Th is combination of eff orts allowed the Ukrainian troops to achieve signifi cant success in a short time. By September 12, 2022, Ukrainian troops liberated the entire occupied part of the Kharkiv region west of the Oskil River. In addition, several bridgeheads were captured on the eastern bank of this river, which contributed to the successful development of offensive actions. The important communication hubs of Balaklia, Kupyansk, Izyum and Vovchansk were liberated, and the key supply routes of the enemy’s Donetsk group were cut. Ukrainian troops captured a lot of trophy equipment and weapons, including some in good condition. The results presented in our work are only the fi rst summary of the study of the Slobozhan offensive operation. The conducted analysis made it possible to outline the prospects for further research, which consists not only of a more detailed study of the battles of the fi rst stage of the Slobozhan offensive operation, connected with the search for new sources and their introduction into scientifi c circulation but also in the study of the further stages of this operation (aft er September 12, 2022).