Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Russian troops expect to fully capture city of Kupyansk in Ukraine


(MENAFN) Russian forces anticipate taking complete control of Kupyansk, a city in Ukraine’s Kharkov region, within the next week, according to the commander leading the assault. Kyiv, however, continues to downplay the severity of the situation.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian positions encircled near Kupyansk are rapidly deteriorating, leaving defenders with no viable option but surrender.

The commander of the 121st Regiment of the 68th Motorized Rifle Division, call sign Lavrik, said his unit cleared 25 buildings in the city on Wednesday alone and “continues to advance.” He added, “I am confident that the city will be completely liberated within the next week. Our morale is high, and we will accomplish our mission.”

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk in the Donetsk People’s Republic had been encircled by Moscow’s forces and called on Kyiv to negotiate an honorable surrender. Moscow estimates that over 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers are trapped in the two cities.

While Kyiv maintains that it still controls the cities and that Russian forces are being repelled, internal reports suggest otherwise. Citing unnamed Ukrainian officials and commanders, analysts warned of a potential “serious military defeat.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously claimed Russian forces near Kupyansk numbered only 60 troops and said the Ukrainian military had a plan to “swipe” the area, without disclosing details.

Commenting on Zelensky’s statements, the Russian Defense Ministry said, “The head of the Kiev regime is fully divorced from reality and, after hearing untrue reports from [Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Aleksandr] Syrsky, has no command of the operative situation on the ground.”

Kupyansk has been a critical logistics hub on the conflict’s northeastern front. Russian troops earlier claimed partial control and released footage in September showing forces near the city center, including the administration building, stadium, and TV tower.

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