Russia’s opening of a new front in the northeast is unbalancing Ukraine’s outnumbered troops

Reuters:

Children in Kharkiv look at smoke from a Russian missile strike. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

Russia carves a ‘buffer zone,’ Ukraine braces for heavy battles Kharkiv region: Russia’s opening of a new front in the northeast is unbalancing Ukraine’s outnumbered troops as Moscow’s forces make inroads of nearly 6 miles into their territory. Vladimir Putin said Russia is making a buffer zone to protect its people from attacks after deadly Ukrainian attacks on Belgorod. Hugs for Russia: Xi Jinping isn’t known for effusive warmth, but the Chinese president hugged Putin twice at their meeting in Beijing. When they weren’t embracing, they were pledging a fresh partnership and casting the U.S. as a chaos-sowing Cold War hegemon. They also discussed a plan to ship gas from Russia to China, maybe even oil, an idea that was hatched in 2018, but which has taken on more significance now that its gas exports to Europe have collapsed and sanctions are rife.