Russians probe border looking for weak spots in Ukraine's defenses
Illustrative photo: Russia is looking for weak spots in Ukraine's border defenses (GettyImages)
Russian forces have intensified combat operations along the state border within the area of responsibility of the Joint Forces Group, attempting to identify weak points in Ukrainian defenses and increasing air strikes, according to Viktor Trehubov, head of the Communications Department of the Joint Forces Group.
Most active directions
Trehubov said that the most tense situation currently remains along several directions.
"Primarily, the Lyman direction remains active, as well as Kupiansk, Vovchansk, and its surroundings," he noted.
Attempts to find weak points in defenses
Trehubov reported that Russian forces are trying to probe the Ukrainian border along its entire length.
Attempts to identify weak points in defenses continue in both Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
"Russians are actively trying to probe the border along its entire length, seeking weak points in Ukrainian defenses along the border," Trehubov stressed.
Attempts to break through in new areas
He also noted that the enemy is attempting to operate in directions that were previously less active, particularly in the Degtiarne area north of Kharkiv.
Photo: DeepState map
Constant pressure and air strikes
Russian troops continue to exert constant pressure along the entire defensive line and actively use long-range strike systems.
The Russian army is targeting Kharkiv and border settlements with guided air bombs.
"Kharkiv is being hit fairly systematically, and guided bombs are also being actively used against border settlements and deployment areas," emphasized the Joint Forces Group spokesperson.
Situation in Sumy region
On December 18, Russian forces crossed the state border near the village of Hrabovske in the Sumy region and forcibly relocated about 50 residents to Russia, who had previously refused evacuation deeper into Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Russian troops managed to establish a foothold in Hrabovske. Currently, around 100 Russian soldiers are there, including contract soldiers of a motorized rifle brigade. Attempts to advance further into the region and probe other border areas were unsuccessful, after which the enemy focused on fortifying positions in the captured settlement.
Viktor Trehubov, head of the Communications Department of the Joint Forces Group, said Russian units continue to reinforce and remotely mine the approaches to Hrabovske to prevent counterattacks by Ukrainian forces.
At the same time, the Communications Center of the Kursk Group of Forces emphasized that the village of Andriivka in the Sumy region remains under full control of the Ukrainian forces, and reports of its alleged capture are false.
