Russian Troops Advance In Western Kupyansk (Videos)

File image.

On November 12, the Russian military’s Zapad [West] Group of Forces expanded its control in the western part of the city of Kupyansk amid Ukrainian attempts to counter attack.

In a statement published by the Russian Ministry of Defense, a commander, who gave his call sign as “Lavrik” and identified himself as being in charge of the 121st Motor Rifle Division’s assault detachment, detailed recent progress in the western part of Kupyansk.

“We mopped up AFU (Armed Forces of Ukraine) militants in 1st Zapadnaya, Zodchikh, and Verbitskogo streets,” Lavrik said.

“We continue to inflict fire damage on the enemy, who took positions in a forest in the southern outskirts of Kupyansk and in a forest park area between Senkovskaya and Prioskolnaya streets,” the commander continued.

“As a result, the AFU lost 15 militants, who held their positions,” he added.

Later in its daily briefing, the Russian MoD announced that the Zapad Group of Forces repelled a counterattack by Ukraine’s 1st National Guard Brigade near Petrovka, close to Kupyansk. It also provided more details on recent Ukrainian losses near the city.

“As a result, the AFU losses amounted to up to 50 Ukrainian troops, one Canadian-made Senator armoured fighting vehicle, one mortar, four electronic warfare stations, and four pickup trucks,” the ministry said.

The drone units of the Zapad Group of Forces stepped up their operations in Kupyansk and nearby areas in recent days, further restricting the movement of Kiev forces.

Two Ukrainian soldiers who recently surrendered to the group described the grim situation in the city in a testimony published by the Russian MoD.

“We came to you ourselves, we decided that our command left us behind, we stayed here. We had neither food supplies, nor ammunition. I don’t know, where our artillery is, the guns were silent for three day straight. We were there for, maybe, three days? We went on foot for a whole day. Your drones are all over the place, nets are everywhere. Our task was to gain a foothold and hold positions,” one of the prisoners of war said.

“There were civilians out there. Our command ordered us to stop civilians, if they tried to leave. We didn’t shot, we swear it. How can anyone shoot a civilian? We were ordered to do that, but we refused to follow that order. Both of us don’t know, who did that. We didn’t shoot civilians, we swear it,” he added.

The battle in Kupyansk appears to be nearing its end. Kiev could, however, attempt to launch more counterattacks to hold onto its last positions in the city as long as possible.

The full capture of the city will likely lead to the collapse of Ukrainian defenses in nearby areas, specifically to the east of the Oskil River.

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