It is curious to me the Russians did not place any emphasis in this Summer offensive to giving Leningrad more breathing space. Of course, the resources of the Ukraine were immense and a great prize, but Leningrad had been through hell.
The Soviets were constantly banging away at the German Army Group North, and not with much success. The terrain favored defense with the hills, forests, rivers and swamps. The Ukraine offered more room for maneuver. If there are Soviet attacks up north, they aren’t going anywhere.