Forbes mentions 500 Russian tanks for Kupiansk offensive - Ukraine reacts
Forbes mentions 500 Russian tanks for Kupiansk offensive (photo: facebook.com.synegubov_official)
According to Forbes, the Russian Federation is allegedly planning a large-scale offensive on Kupiansk and is deploying weapons there. However, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been holding back the Russians for six months and are ready to respond to any scenario, states Oleh Synegubov, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration.
Background
Today, the media reported that Russia is allegedly bringing 500 tanks, up to 600 combat vehicles, hundreds of howitzers, and 40,000 troops to Kupiansk. The article states that the capture of Kupiansk is the main goal of the Russians.
"A slice of Kharkiv would be an election-day gift to Putin from the Russian army in Ukraine," Forbes writes.
At the same time, the article states that the number of Ukrainian troops on this part of the front is about 20,000, and hundreds of tanks, combat vehicles, and howitzers.
"But people and vehicles aren’t the problem for the Ukrainians. The problem is ammunition. The United States was one of the biggest donors of 155-millimeter shells for Ukraine’s best big guns - and pro-Russia Republicans in the U.S. Congress cut off aid to Ukraine last fall. Since then, Ukrainian forces’ daily allotment of shells has fallen by two-thirds to just 2,000 rounds. Russian forces meanwhile fire as many as 10,000 shells a day, thanks to a steady supply of ammo from North Korea," Forbes writes.
Statement of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration
As Synegubov explains, the Russian army has been advancing in this direction since February 2022. Until now, the occupiers have not abandoned their intentions to recapture the liberated territories, as this is a logistically important area for them.
"Therefore, the enemy does not stop striking every day: CABs, FABs, artillery, MLRS, drones - the Russian Federation uses the entire arsenal of weapons in Kupiansk district," he wrote.
He noted that heavy fighting has been going on in all sections of the frontline for more than six months, and the Russians have been conducting high-intensity assault operations.
"But the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been repelling enemy attacks all this time, and we are constantly strengthening the defense capabilities of the entire region. The Armed Forces are ready for any further scenarios, enemy actions, and quick response to intelligence results," he emphasized.
Fighting near Kupiansk
On January 28, the spokesperson for the Armed Forces of Ukraine Volodymyr Fitio said that the Russian occupation forces have no strategic success in eastern Ukraine. But the enemy is trying to advance, as evidenced by the amount of destroyed enemy equipment.
At the end of January, the head of the Kharkiv Military Administration, Oleh Synegubov, said that the occupiers had resumed offensive operations in the Kupiansk direction. Fighting is taking place in the area of Sinkivka and Tabaivka.
According to the representative of the Land Forces, the Kupiansk direction remains a priority for the enemy, and the Russians are trying to continue their offensive near Synkivka and Tabaivka.
Read more about the situation near Kupiansk, as well as the possible threats of a further offensive on Kharkiv and the region, in the RBC-Ukraine article.
