Russia continues to expand its troops in the Belgorod region to prevent the advance of Ukrainian forces to the border.

Such data is provided by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The invaders strive to maintain their positions around the city of Kharkiv and prevent the Ukrainian Defense Forces from reaching the state border.

The Institute for the Study of War noted that the Russian military had not given up trying to encircle Kharkiv from the north and east, despite having only three battalion tactical groups operating in the northern Kharkiv region.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the invaders have additionally accumulated 19 BTGs in the Belgorod region, which might increase pressure in the Kharkiv direction.

“On the Slobozhanske front, the invaders are maintaining certain air defense forces in the Belgorod region in full readiness for deployment. They continue focusing their efforts on defending their lines to prevent the advance of our troops towards the state border. They are conducting aerial reconnaissance,” shared the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its morning report on May 10.

The ISW added that on May 9, Russian troops did not conduct any confirmed offensive operations to the southeast or southwest of the city of Izyum.

However, the Russians are probably trying to concentrate their forces needed to resume the offensive in the coming days.

The day before, it was reported that in the Kharkiv region, four villages (Verkhniy Saltiv, Zamuilivka, Bayrak, Rubizhne (Vovchansky district)) were liberated by the Territorial Defence Forces. This was announced by volunteer Roman Donik.

Soldiers of the 227th Battalion of the 127th Territorial Defense Brigade participated in the liberation of the settlements.

Previously, Ukrainian artillery destroyed Russian military facilities in the Izyum district. The Armed Forces of Ukraine demonstrated precise performance in the area of the villages of Vesele and Zabavne.

The Command of Ukrainian Air Assault Forces published a video of a shelling of Russian positions near the village of Zabavne. There, the Russians had set up positions for military equipment. Dozens of units of armored vehicles and cars were protected by caponiers.