Top Ukrainian security official corroborates Russian reinforcements near eastern city of Kupyansk
Russia is indeed concentrating significant forces near Kupyansk, however, the statistics provided by Forbes are “somewhat different from reality,” the head of the National Security and Defense Council’s Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko, said in a Telegram post on Feb. 5.
Forbes claimed that Russian forces plan to capture Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast, by March 2024, when the presidential election will be held in Russia. There are 500 Russian tanks, more than 600 combat vehicles, hundreds of howitzers, and 40,000 soldiers concentrated in this sector.
Read also: Tabaivka is not captured, heavy fighting continues in Kharkiv oblast
Kovalenko wrote on Telegram that it is necessary “for the West to understand the seriousness of the situation, especially those who make decisions on aid.”
“And it is desirable that they also remember American interests,” he said.
It is utopian to think that everything can be resolved by December 2024 if Ukraine is in a weaker position, “as some presidential candidates may think,” said Kovalenko.
On the contrary, more weapons would have to be provided and quickly, because Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will never accept conditions.
Read also: Russia masses over 40,000 soldiers, heavy armor near Kupyansk, hinting at plans for further advances
“His goal is to destroy Ukraine,” he said. “And it is possible to force him to agree to some conditions only by force, not by weakness.”
The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War reported on Jan. 20 that Russians had advanced along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line and captured Krokhmalne in Kharkiv Oblast. Later, Volodymyr Fitio, head of the public relations service of the Ground Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, confirmed this.
The Offensive Guard unit said that the retreat of the Ukrainian Defense Forces from the village of Krokhmalne was not a “problematic situation” because it “cannot be considered a settlement.”
The Russians announced the capture of the village of Tabaivka in Kharkiv Oblast on Jan. 28. Fitio said on Jan. 29 that the Russians’ statements about the capture of Tabaivka were not true.
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