Russia steps up airstrikes on Kupiansk: Reason revealed
Photo: Russia is intensifying air strikes in the Kupiansk direction (Getty Images)
Russian forces have increased the number of airstrikes in the Kupiansk and Lyman directions. In this way, they are trying to push Ukrainian defenders off the left bank, stated Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for the Joint Forces grouping, in a comment to RBC-Ukraine.
"Nothing is happening in the city itself; it is more about regrouping in the north and pressure on the left bank of the Oskil River. But they are bombing heavily," he said.
Trehubov added that he has consolidated data for the Kupiansk and Lyman directions. According to him, over the past day, there were 17 FAB-250/500 aerial bombs used in the two directions, which, he stressed, is "noticeably more than usual."
"It seems to me that this is primarily an attempt to push our forces off the left bank," Trehubov said.
Situation in Kupiansk
Earlier, the Joint Forces grouping had already denied claims by Russian propaganda about control over Kupiansk.
Viktor Trehubov previously said that clearing Kupiansk of Russian troops could take several more weeks, as isolated pockets of the troops remain in the city. On December 12, Russian units found themselves encircled, despite Russia's claims that the city had been liberated twice.
Ukraine’s Defense Forces carried out a successful counterattack, blocking at least 200 Russian troops and liberating the Yuvileinyi residential district. During the operation, which had been prepared since autumn, Russian forces lost more than a thousand soldiers killed, and their reinforcement routes to the city were cut off.
According to the military, the active phase of fighting continues in Kupiansk. The encircled Russian units are putting up strong resistance.
At present, active fighting continues in Kupiansk, while Ukrainian forces already control about 90% of the city’s territory.
