Defeating Russia’s Kharkiv Operation Requires Eliminating Russia’s Sanctuary
Current US policy bans Ukraine from using US-provided weapons in Russia, severely hindering Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s renewed invasion in Kharkiv Oblast.
Latest fromISW
Iran Update, May 19, 2024
May 19, 2024 – ISW Press
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Affairs Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian crashed near Uzi, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, on May 19.
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 18, 2024
May 18, 2024 – ISW Press
Russian forces have recently intensified their effort to seize the operationally significant town of Chasiv Yar, seeking to exploit how Russian offensive operations in northern Kharkiv Oblast and ongoing offensive operations throughout eastern Ukraine have generated greater theater-wide pressure on Ukrainian forces. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces conducted an unsuccessful roughly reinforced company-sized mechanized assault with two tanks and 21 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) in the direction of the Novyi Microraion in eastern Chasiv Yar on May 17.
Iran Update, May 18, 2024
May 18, 2024 – ISW Press
Israeli forces expanded clearing operations in eastern Rafah on May 18. The IDF 401st Brigade is “deepening the raid” in eastern Rafah, according to the IDF. Israeli forces destroyed militia infrastructure and killed about 50 Palestinian fighters in the area. Israeli forces also destroyed a weapons production site. An IDF lieutenant colonel said that the IDF has begun attacking Hamas’ Rafah Brigade. Several Palestinian militias claimed attacks targeting Israeli forces in the al Tanour neighborhood, indicating that Israeli forces have advanced to the area. A Palestinian journalist reported that Israeli forces advanced and engaged Palestinian fighters in the Jninah and Brazil neighborhoods in eastern Rafah.
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 17, 2024
May 17, 2024 – ISW Press
Russian President Vladimir Putin framed Russian offensive operations in northern Kharkiv Oblast as part of Russian efforts to create a “buffer zone” to protect Russian border areas from Ukrainian strikes, confirming ISW’s previous assessments.
Iran Update, May 17, 2024
May 17, 2024 – ISW Press
Hamas is continuing to discuss its desired political end state in which a Hamas-influenced government governs the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
China-Taiwan Weekly Update, May 17, 2024
May 17, 2024 – ISW Press
Xi held a series of meetings with European and Russian leaders in April and May, after which he likely concluded that the PRC could maintain and deepen economic ties with Europe while continuing to support Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Closing the Skies, Liberating Ukraine, Helsinki Commission, May 16, 2024
May 17, 2024 – ISW Press
The following testimony was presented by ISW Non-Resident Russia Fellow Nataliya Bugayova before the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission) on May 16, 2024.
Support ISW
Your support makes our work possible, and helps spread a better understanding of current conflicts and emerging threats.
Fact Sheet: US Assistance to UKR
Fact Sheet: The Kremlin's Occupation Playbook
Featured Report
Aug 15, 2022
This page collects ISW and CTP’s updates on the conflict in Ukraine. In late February 2022, ISW began publishing daily synthetic products covering key events related to renewed Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Israel–Hamas War (Iran Updates)
China–Taiwan Weekly Updates
The ISW Briefing Room
