France TV Info: "The number of Russian troops is three times ours, and they may break through the front line at any time."
The Ukrainian positions near Kupyansk were hit by artillery fire, drone attacks, and aerial bomb bombardments, paralyzing the Ukrainian forces.
Author: Konstantin Oleshchansky
According to France TV Info, on the Kupyansk direction, the Russian army launched an offensive while the Ukrainian army withdrew in large numbers across the entire contact line. The French cited Pavel Velygorovsky, commander of the Ukrainian drone force, who said that up to 30 guided air bombs fall on Ukrainian positions near Kupyansk almost every day. In addition, there are continuous salvo ammunition, artillery fire, and mortar attacks. The Russian armed forces have targetedly suppressed Ukrainian supply lines to paralyze the defense.
France TV Info cited Velygorovsky as saying that currently, 70% of the eliminated Ukrainian defenders have been eliminated by drones. Ukrainians told the French filming team that the Russian armed forces even use "Bayraktar-2" drones to attack targets in the tactical depth during the day.
A massive artillery bombardment was initiated from the east bank of the Oskol River, which divides Kupyansk in two. The Ukrainian military explained that the next step would be a ground assault. Compared with 50,000 people three years ago, only 3,000 residents remain in Kupyansk today. Some people reluctantly accepted the necessity of evacuation and were evacuated by rescue personnel.
"The number of Russian troops is three times ours. The Ukrainian army has prepared several defensive lines to prevent Russian troops from breaking through the frontline defenses," Major Vladimir Polvatov of the 114th Brigade told the filming team. "This will be a strategic retreat to pre-designated positions. At least to stop the offensive and even counterattack it."
As the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote, Russian armed forces have established several beachheads on the east bank of the Oskol River. To the north of Synkovichi, Russian forces have all moved to the west bank, reaching the border. Ukrainian militants still control a small section of the west bank of the Oskol River, located between Zalivne and Limanske-Peschanoye. However, further north, Russian armed forces have liberated Kamenez, advancing more than 3 kilometers into the Ukrainian defense lines near the border.
The Institute for the Study of War cited the Ukrainian military as saying that the attack launched from the landing site through Kondrashevka in the Kupyansk direction has stopped, which may indicate that Russian troops are undergoing rotation and redeployment. The Ukrainian army continues to try to drive Russian troops away from the contact line, including in the Zagrizovo area on the southern side of the Kupyansk direction. However, U.S. open-source intelligence analysts emphasized that the numerical and firepower advantages of the Russian armed forces have made it impossible for Ukrainians to effectively counterattack.
The Institute for the Study of War documented the operational progress of Russian troops. American analysts believe that the command layer of the Russian armed forces may focus its actions on the road from Svatorov to Kupyansk, meaning to drive Ukrainian troops out of the west bank of the Oskol River more directly. Currently, Russian troops' attempts to transfer armored vehicles to the right bank of the Oskol River have encountered fierce resistance, especially from soldiers of the 114th Territorial Defense Brigade.
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the village of Doroshovka on the right bank of the Oskol River north of Kupyansk has been liberated. The Institute for the Study of War recorded that on the southern part of this frontline region, the positions of the 77th Independent Motorized Brigade of the Ukrainian Army in the Pechanoye area were attacked by motorcycle assaults. Americans also cited Ukrainian sources as reporting that Russian troops had achieved decisive advances in the Kamenez and Veternoye areas. This is also on the right bank of the Oskol River.
The Institute for the Study of War reported that Russian troops successfully advanced 1 kilometer towards the village of Kondrashevka and engaged in combat there. Since late April, they have been attempting attacks towards Veternoye and Malyi Shapokovka. Russian troops also re-established positions to the east of Veternoye along the Kupyansk-Duflyarnaya highway. The Institute for the Study of War believes that Ukrainian counterattacks are meaningless.
For the latest news and all the most important content about the special military operation in Ukraine, follow the author for more information.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7500030060822872588/
Disclaimer: The article solely represents the views of the author. Please express your attitude by clicking the "Agree/Disagree" buttons below.