Ukraine lacks resources to halt Russian advance efforts in Kupiansk direction

This was reported by military expert, retired colonel of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and spokesperson for the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (2014-2017), Vladyslav Seleznyov on Espreso TV.

The Russian troops are focused on establishing a foothold on the western bank of the Oskil River, and they are acting according to a coordinated plan. The enemy is interested in the entire Donetsk region, which is interconnected with the Kupiansk direction.

"First of all, this involves ensuring uninterrupted logistics for the Russian garrison, which will form a bridgehead in the area of Lyman. This is necessary for a future attack on the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. This largest urban agglomeration (Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka, and Kostiantynivka) is crucial for Putin. It was to gain full control over Donetsk and Luhansk that he launched the full-scale war in February 2022," explained Seleznyov.

According to him, stable logistics are essential for effectively forming a bridgehead in the Lyman direction. And this is impossible without full control over Kupiansk and Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi.

"Thus, the Russians are ready to commit all of its resources to gain control over the eastern and western banks of the Oskil River, to continue advancing towards Kupiansk and Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi, as this is the largest railway junction in eastern Kharkiv region. With a bridgehead on the western bank of the Oskil River in the Dvorichna area, the Russian forces could form a strike force capable of operating behind our troops defending the Vovchansk line," the military expert noted.

The Russians are acting as efficiently as possible, utilizing their available resources. Unfortunately, we lack sufficient resources on the Kupiansk front to stop all enemy attempts to expand footholds.

"In addition to the Russian foothold near Dvorichna, the Russian forces are attempting to establish pontoon bridges at several points along the Oskil River. The challenge is very serious. The plan of action that the Ukrainian General Staff will adopt remains unclear, but the challenge is evident. Russia is laying the foundation for future offensive actions during the spring-summer campaign. It seems Russian forces are not seeking to end the war but rather to gather additional forces and resources for further aggression. President Zelenskyy's statement about Putin's intention to increase his army by 100,000 soldiers shows that Putin will continue his aggressive actions," said Seleznyov.

He also noted that while the new version of the Russian constitution mentions four of our country's regions, Russian forces are stationed in northern Kharkiv, the eastern parts of the Kharkiv region, and the Kinburn Spit in Mykolaiv region. Russia presence exists, and the possibility of fake referendums, similar to those held in Zaporizhzhia, cannot be ruled out.

• Ukrainian Army General and head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service (2005-2010) Mykola Malomuzh believes that Russia's pauses in offensive actions are due to the depletion of their reserves and resources.