Can Russians break through to Kupiansk by year end? Experts weigh in
Photo: Experts assessed whether Russian army can break through to Kupiansk by the end of 2024 (Getty Images)
Soon, Russia may have the opportunity to secure positions on the outskirts of Kupiansk. In particular, the occupiers recently managed to advance nearly 4 kilometers along a single straight road toward the city.
This is stated in the article by RBC-Ukraine "No respite for Ukraine: How Russia's winter offensive could play out and what’s next for Kursk front."
According to a military and political analyst of the Information Resistance Group, Oleksandr Kovalenko, it is still unclear how often the enemy will try to repeat this and whether they will be able to secure positions.
The expert notes that the fact that the Russian troops entered the Zaoskillya area after covering almost 4 km on a single straight road from Lyman Pershyi is a worrying signal.
“I don’t understand how this advance was allowed. If such incidents recur, the Russians might soon secure positions on Kupiansk’s outskirts. If Ukrainian control is reinforced, they won’t succeed before the year’s end. Everything depends on the lessons learned,” Kovalenko said.
Military expert Vladyslav Seleznov emphasizes that the enemy aims to take control of a key railway hub in the eastern Kharkiv region. This would not only allow them to move south along the Oskil River but also create a launching pad for an assault on Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
Situation around Kupiansk
About a week ago, RBC-Ukraine reported that Russian paratroopers attempted to break into Kupiansk. The General Staff assured that Ukrainian forces destroyed all enemy armored vehicles and eliminated a significant portion of their forces, with the city remaining under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Analyzing the situation around the city, the UK Ministry of Defense noted that the Russian army had intensified its offensive actions near Kupiansk. In particular, the military confirmed that Russian troops reached the Oskil River.
On November 18, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Kupiansk. Before that, he visited Pokrovsk.
