1 Institute for the Study of War & AEI’s Critical Threats Project 2022
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment
Karolina Hird, Mason Clark, and George Barros
May 8, 4:00 pm ET
Russian forces did not make any significant advances on any axis of advance on May 8.
The Ukrainian counteroffensive northeast of Kharkiv City has likely forced Russian troops to redeploy
to Kharkiv instead of reinforcing stalled Russian offensive operations elsewhere in eastern Ukraine.
Russian forces are continuing their attempt to reach the administrative borders of Donetsk and
Luhansk oblasts but have not made substantial territorial gains since securing Popasna on May 7.
Key Takeaways
• Russian forces are likely amassing in Belgorod to reinforce Russian efforts in
northern Kharkiv to prevent the ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive from
pushing closer to the Ukraine-Russia border.
• Russian forces near Izyum focused on regrouping, replenishing, and
reconnoitering Ukrainian positions in order to continue advances to the southwest
and southeast of Izyum.
• Russian forces continued their ground attacks to drive to the borders of Donetsk
and Luhansk oblasts but did not make any territorial gains
• Russian troops continued to assault the Azovstal Steel Plant and advanced efforts
to economically integrate occupied Mariupol into the wider Russian economy.
• Russian troops may be preparing for a renewed offensive on the Southern Axis but
are unlikely to be successful in this endeavor.
