The success of the offensive launched on 6 September under Balakleja amazed even the Ukrainians themselves. No 1 expected specified a spectacular defeat of elements of the 1st defender of the Armoured Army (APancGw) and the 20th Military Army (20 A) organizing defences in the Kharkiv Oblast, or so fast Ukrainian field captures. From a position it can be concluded that the Ukrainian command proved to be a very good preparation of the counter-attack, which was carried out on an unprepared opponent, ignoring the threat, without major tactical and operational reserves.
