“The Kremlin is using claims of advances in and around Kupyansk for cognitive warfare, according to a report by the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The report notes that these actions by Moscow are aimed at presenting the Ukrainian position as being on the verge of collapse, so that Ukraine and the West will give in to Russia’s demands. But analysts note that Ukrainian troops continue their counteroffensive in the direction of Kupyansk, and Russian ultra-nationalist military bloggers recognize the seriousness of the situation for Russian troops. Geolocation images released on December 14 and 15 suggest that Russian troops are probably not holding positions in Petropavlivka (east of Kupyansk), contrary to Russian claims of advances in the area. ISW notes that Russian military bloggers continue to admit that the situation for Russian troops in Kupyansk is deteriorating. One military blogger claimed that Russian troops hold some positions in the north and center of Kupyansk, but the rest of the city is either a disputed “grey zone” or under Ukrainian control. Another blogger argued that Russian forces no longer have a numerical advantage in the area and that Ukrainian jamming measures are hindering Russian operations. The blogger stated that Ukraine’s successes in Kupyansk forced Russian drone operators to retreat from this area to the eastern (left) bank of the Oskol River. On December 15, the spokesman of the United Forces of Ukraine, Colonel Viktor Tregubov, reported that Ukrainian troops continue operations to clear the territory of Kupyansk, and there are approximately 100-200 Russian servicemen in the city. Tregubov also hinted that the logistical situation of the Russian troops in Kupyansk is difficult. The command of the National Guard Corps “Charter” reported on December 12 that the Defense Forces broke through to the Oskil River and completely blocked the supply routes to the Russian group in Kupyansk. During the operation, as noted, the villages of Kindrashivka, Radkivka and their surroundings were liberated, as well as a number of quarters in the north of Kupyansk. On December 12, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi visited Kupyansk, Kharkiv region, where he recorded a video against the background of a broken stele at the entrance to the city. Read also: General Staff about the SZCH and the response of the military. Why did Zelensky go to Kupyansk? On November 20, Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov reported to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin about the occupation of Kupyansk by Russian troops. Not only the Ukrainian military denied this, even pro-war Russian bloggers were skeptical of this statement. Kupyansk is of strategic importance for the defense of Donbass, and its loss could lead to the encirclement of Ukrainian troops on the left bank of the Oskol River, writes the Radio Liberty Donbass.Realii project. The threat to Kupyansk has been growing since the summer. Russian troops successfully used small group infiltration tactics.”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
The report notes that these actions by Moscow are aimed at presenting the Ukrainian position as being on the verge of collapse, so that Ukraine and the West will give in to Russia’s demands.
But analysts note that Ukrainian troops continue their counteroffensive in the direction of Kupyansk, and Russian ultra-nationalist pro-war bloggers recognize the seriousness of the situation for Russian troops.
Geolocation images released on December 14 and 15 suggest that Russian troops are probably not holding positions in Petropavlivka (east of Kupyansk), contrary to Russian claims of advances in the area.
ISW notes that Russian pro-war bloggers continue to admit that the situation for Russian troops in Kupyansk is deteriorating. One military blogger claimed that Russian troops hold some positions in the north and center of Kupyansk, but the rest of the city is either a disputed “grey zone” or under Ukrainian control.
On December 15, the spokesman of the United Forces of Ukraine, Colonel Viktor Tregubov, reported that Ukrainian troops continue operations to clear the territory of Kupyansk, and there are approximately 100-200 Russian servicemen in the city. Tregubov also hinted that the logistical situation of the Russian troops in Kupyansk is difficult.
The command of the National Guard Corps “Charter” reported on December 12 that the Defense Forces broke through to the Oskil River and completely blocked the supply routes to the Russian group in Kupyansk. During the operation, as noted, the villages of Kindrashivka, Radkivka and their surroundings were liberated, as well as a number of quarters in the north of Kupyansk.
On December 12, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi visited Kupyansk, Kharkiv region, where he recorded a video against the background of a broken stele at the entrance to the city.
Read also: The General Staff about the SZCH and the response of the military. Why did Zelensky go to Kupyansk?
Russia has been claiming since November 20 that Kupyansk was taken by the Russian army, and “15 battalions of the Armed Forces” are allegedly blocked south of it. On December 2, Putin even announced that “in a few days” the Russian army would allegedly take control of Kupyansk-Vuzlovy.
Kupyansk is of strategic importance for the defense of Donbass, and its loss could lead to the encirclement of Ukrainian troops on the left bank of the Oskol River, writes the Radio Liberty Donbass.Realii project. The threat to Kupyansk has been growing since the summer.