Russians shift focus to Lyman, but offensive on Kupiansk may resume, expert says
The Russian occupiers shifted their focus to the Lyman (Getty Images)
The Russian occupiers have shifted their focus to Lyman in the Donetsk region. But Kupiansk may be facing a new offensive, according to the RBC-Ukraine article Avdiivka and Bakhmut situation, possibility of Russian advance on Kupiansk: Frontline overview.
The main attack of the Russian invaders on the Lyman-Kupiansk axis is aimed at the complete capture of Luhansk, as well as parts of the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. Previously, the Kupiansk direction was the hottest, but now the enemy's focus has shifted to the Lyman.
"Recently, the hottest spot was Kupiansk direction, the town of Synkivka. But compared to yesterday (January 16, - ed.), the enemy did not conduct any active actions. Instead, they moved south to the Lyman direction," says Volodymyr Fitio, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
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Oleksandr Musiienko, head of the Сenter of Military Law Researches, believes that there is no special plan behind the change in direction. The Russians are looking for weaknesses in the defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
"The expectation that the weather would allow them to operate effectively in the Kupiansk direction did not work. In addition, the well-planned and well-organized Ukrainian defense made it possible to repel numerous attacks. This makes them look for an alternative. As predicted, the focus has shifted to Lyman, Avdiivka, and Maryinka," he explains.
At the same time, Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, suggests that the Russians may plan a new offensive on Kupiansk when the temperature is stable.
According to forecasts, the conditions for maneuvers with equipment may develop in late January or early February. According to Musiienko, there is reason to believe that the Russians will attack during this period. Of course, the Ukrainian Defense Forces are preparing for this.
Situation in Kharkiv region
The Telegraph reported that the Russians could allegedly launch a "ground offensive" in the Kharkiv region on January 15 after massive shelling.
At the same time, local authorities and the military note that active hostilities in this area continue, but the Armed Forces are holding back the enemy. Also, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, said that Russia did not have enough forces in the Belgorod region to repeat the attack on Kharkiv.
Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Chief of the General Staff Serhii Shaptala visited positions near the town of Kupiansk on January 9.
