Ukrainian forces name two factors making Kupiansk front more difficult
Inside Kupiansk: what is happening as Russian troops push in from three sides (photo: Getty Images)
Russian forces are throwing significant manpower toward the approaches to Kupiansk and have already partially taken control of a village north of the city. Two key factors are aiding them in this effort, according to spokesperson for the Joint Forces Group Victor Tregubov.
"They had been building up personnel and, in fact, the capacity for offensive actions. From February to March, when the intensity dropped, they were regrouping and recovering," the spokesperson said.
According to him, two favorable conditions are currently helping the Russians: the so-called "green cover"—vegetation that emerges with warmer weather—and poor weather in April.
Holubivka as bridgehead for attacks on city
Tregubov said that Holubivka, a settlement north of Kupiansk, plays a key role in the pressure on the city. Russian forces are attempting to infiltrate the area from there.
He explained that as long as Russia holds certain positions there, it is more difficult than before to eliminate their units approaching the city.
Russian attacks near Kupiansk (photo: deepstatemap.live)
We see a challenge, and know how to stop it
According to Tregubov, the issue has persisted for several weeks.
"Destroying Russians who are trying to enter the city from the north is necessary, and it is a bit more difficult than when Holubivka was under more control. We see a challenge, and know how to stop it. The only issue is that there are a lot of Russians," he said.
In addition to the northern front, the situation has also deteriorated in the east. The spokesperson said on the eastern bank of the Oskil River, Russians are actively advancing toward Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi from three directions simultaneously.
Russian attacks on Ukraine, front-line situation
Earlier, Kharkiv came under several waves of drone strikes on May 2. The attacks were recorded in the Kholodnohirskyi, Slobidskyi, Saltivskyi, Osnovianskyi, Novobavarskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, and Kyivskyi districts of the city.
Residential buildings and gas stations were hit, and at least five people were injured.
On May 2, Russia also dropped an aerial bomb on a gas pipeline in the Zaporizhzhia region, leaving some consumers temporarily without gas.
Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine. Since the morning of May 2, Russian forces have launched 227 drones across the country, 220 of which were shot down, with new launches continuing throughout the day.
The front line remains tense as well. Russian forces are attempting to push Ukrainian troops out of the northern outskirts of Pokrovsk. Their plan includes capturing the settlement of Shevchenko.
Unusual Russian activity has also been recorded near the border with Belarus. However, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized, the situation is under control, and Ukraine is prepared to respond if necessary.
