I can't really tell whats happening with Russia's new Kharkiv offensive. It doesn't look they've anywhere near enough personnel to be able to take the city, which leaves either buffer zone or diversion to fix Ukrainian troops as possible reasons
The only thing I can think is maybe getting a bit closer to the city might bring it within more reachable tube artillery range, making strikes both more effective and more cost-effective and potentially induce the population to leave, as apparently many have moved back home over the last 12-18 months, and the population isn't that far off what it was in 2021, back above a million again
Though It might be there isn't a specific plan and its more of a speculative approach
― anvil, Saturday, 18 May 2024 13:12 (one week ago) link