Rapid advance of the Ukrainians
Russian units are threatened with encirclement
09/10/2022 09:57 am
The Ukrainian advance near the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine could turn into a fiasco for Russian associations. According to an analysis by a US think tank, Moscow troops are already in danger of being surrounded. So far there has been no confirmation of Ukrainian successes from Moscow.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces may be in for another major success in eastern Ukraine. After their apparent breakthrough through Russian lines, they are said to have recaptured around 2,500 square kilometers of land in the Kharkiv region, the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) estimates in its report recent analysis. Kiev’s troops have now advanced to the cities of Kupyansk, Izyum and the Oskil River. The Ukrainians may be about to encircle Russian units near the city of Izyum.
Referring to photos from the region, the ISW concludes that Ukrainian troops have now reached the southern edge of the strategically extremely important city of Kupyansk. Several railway and road lines run through Kupyansk, so the small town is considered strategically important for the supply of Russian troops in the Donbass. According to his, the British military secret service is also rising Twitter spread current situation report assume that the Ukrainians are already before Kupjansk. Should the place be recaptured, it would be a “heavy blow” for the Russian troops.
And there is evidence that Ukrainian forces have already advanced into the center of Kupyansk. This is what the Ukrainian lawyer and activist Serhiy Sternenko said Twitter a photo that is said to show Ukrainian soldiers in front of a centrally located administration building in the city. However, ntv.de cannot verify the authenticity of the recording.
The ISW concludes that the situation for Russian troops in the region could soon deteriorate dramatically. Because the Ukrainian units would threaten the supply routes of Russian units near the city of Izyum during their advances. If they succeed, then “they have the opportunity to build a pocket around Izyum and smash a large part of the Russian positions in north-eastern Ukraine”. According to the ISW, Russian bloggers are already speculating that Saturday could be a “decisive day” if Russia fails to build up reserves and a capable leadership in time.
Bridge over Oskil river destroyed
Northeast of Izyum, the Oskil River is dammed into a lake, creating a natural barrier for troops. However, there are two bridges across the lake near the towns of Senkove and Gorokhowatka, which make the obstacle passable and can serve as a supply line. However, Ukrainian troops are said to have already reached the town of Senkove and are on their way to Gorokhovatka, the ISW reports, citing Russian sources. There are also unconfirmed reports that Ukrainian troops have reached the town of Oskil at the southern end of the reservoir, which would “seriously disrupt” the supply lines to Izyum.
Further north, the bridge over the Oskil River in Kupjansk was destroyed by Ukrainian forces, according to the ISW in its analysis. This will “impair the ability of Russian forces to resupply and reinforce their positions against Ukrainian attacks.”
From Kupyansk there should also be advances in a northerly direction, according to the analysis. There are indications that the Ukrainians are marching towards the Russian logistics center Welykyj Burluk. The ISW also refers to reports from Russian sources that troops from Kiev are attacking the town of Lyman southeast of Izyum. The Russian Ministry of Defense has not yet confirmed the alleged successes of the Ukrainian units. On Friday, however, it published video recordings that are said to show troop movements in the direction of the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv.