It seems like Russian forces are on the verge of being ousted from Kupyansk, a key eastern Ukrainian city. Reports indicate that only a few isolated troops are left, with even those leaning towards surrender as their situation deteriorates. This acknowledgment also comes from pro-Kremlin circles, suggesting a significant setback for Moscow.
If we look at news from the Kyiv Post, it was reported on Thursday that Ukrainian military sources claim Russian forces stuck in the city lack solid supply lines and are increasingly throwing in the towel.
Viktor Trehubov, the comms chief for Ukraine’s Joint Forces, pointed out that the remaining Russian troops in Kupyansk are reduced to just a few dozen. Among them are foreign fighters allied with Moscow’s military.
“They’re giving up,” Trehubov stated during a press briefing broadcast by Ukrainian state television. “Some foreign mercenaries fighting for the Russians have even surrendered.”
SEE ALSO: ZELENSKYY VISITS FRONTLINE UKRAINIAN CITY WEEKS AFTER RUSSIA CLAIMED IT TOOK CONTROL
According to Kyiv sources, those remaining Russian soldiers are largely relying on a limited air resupply, a method that just doesn’t cut it for long-term presence within the city.
“Relying solely on airdrops isn’t enough to hold out for an extended period,” remarked Trehubov.
Despite daily assaults by Russian forces trying to regain control along the Kupyansk front, Ukrainian officials note that these attacks lack the necessary manpower and reserves to shift the battle’s dynamics.
UPDATE: UKRAINE, US MOVE CLOSE TO 20-POINT PEACE DEAL AS PUTIN REJECTS ZALEONSKYY’S CHRISTMAS CEASEFIRE SUGGESTION
“They just don’t have the capacity to turn the tide at this point,” Trehubov added.
Interestingly, Russian military bloggers and war correspondents have started to acknowledge that Kupyansk isn’t under Moscow’s control anymore, indicating a notable change in narrative from the Kremlin’s usual messaging.
“There’s a flood of reports claiming Kupyansk is lost,” Trehubov said. “Even those aligned with Russia are accepting that they no longer hold this city.”
Ukrainian government officials have emphasized that Russia has never truly reasserted control over Kupyansk since its liberation in September 2022, barring a short-term occupation during the initial phase of the invasion.
LATEST NEWS: US OFFICIALS HIGHLIGHT STRIDES IN NEGOTIATING FOR A ‘LASTING AND STABLE PEACE’ WITH RUSSIA
“Actually, they never had complete control to lose beyond that brief moment in 2022,” asserted Trehubov.
Attempts by Russian troops to secure the northern parts of the city have floundered, with Ukrainian officials stating these units can neither retreat nor bolster defenses.
“The same divisions that entered trying to fortify the northern parts have admitted their failure in defense,” Trehubov remarked.
AS THE CALL FOR PEACE GROWS, EXPERTS ARE WARY OF PUTIN’S POTENTIAL STANDING FIRM
Fighting rages on around Kupyansk, mostly across the Oskil River, but Ukrainian forces hold the city firmly.
Reports from Ukraine’s General Staff stated that on December 24, Russian troops executed five attacks in the Kupyansk sector, all of which were successfully repelled near Petropavlivka, Pishchane, Zahryzove, and Kupyansk.
Trehubov highlighted that a fresh Ukrainian counteroffensive has further unsettled Russian operations.
“Our counteroffensive caught them off guard,” he mentioned. “Currently, they don’t have the resources to regain their stronghold.”
DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP TODAY
Kupyansk has long been a vital rail and road point in the Kharkiv region, historically home to around 27,000 people. Its significance in the conflict escalated after it briefly fell to Russian forces during the beginning of their full-scale invasion in 2022, before Ukrainian troops liberated it later the same year. Ukrainian officials claim that Moscow has tried repeatedly to mud the waters with misinformation regarding this city.
Original article source:Russian forces near collapse in Kupyansk as Moscow allies concede city lost: Report
