will the Russians take Kharkiv after Mariupol?

Russian forces maintain their pressure on several regions, particularly around Kharkiv, in northeastern Ukraine. An explosion in Lozova left at least eight people injured, including a child. It was caused by a missile strike on a newly rebuilt cultural center, according to Ukrainian officials. Pressure, therefore, of the Russian army on this region of Kharkiv. The city has certainly been taken over by Ukrainian forces, but the Russian army is increasing its strikes and could make it the new Mariupol. “The Russians are crushing and scaring away the populations, killing many people on the way. Little by little they are reducing the pockets of resistance and going on the offensive on other targets”explains Jean-Antoine Duprat, geopolitologist, joined by videoconference.

An exchange of prisoners is envisaged between the Ukrainian Azov regiment and Viktor Medvedchuk, a close friend of Vladimir Putin. “Prisoner exchanges will be exploited like everything else”, he continues. Volodymyr Zelenski, he still hopes for NATO membership, while Turkey remains hostile to that of Sweden. But then, what is Turkey’s strategy? “Since the start she has been trying to get back to the center of the game. Today they have a card to play in the context of the negotiations, but they do not want to displease NATO or alienate Moscow”emphasizes Jean-Antoine Duprat.