The Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region may have been intended to capture a wide and deep swath of territory to bring heavy artillery closer to Kharkiv. Russian commanders may have hoped to reach Kharkiv itself, according to Forbes. However, this did not happen. A few weeks after the offensive began, 30,000 Russian troops were bogged down in the city of Vovchansk. Ukrainian defenders reportedly defeated an elite Russian airborne brigade in the city. Many of the Russian invaders refused to fight. If this is confirmed, it will be a heavy loss for the new northern grouping of Russian troops, …