Russian forces continue to exert pressure on the city of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region, pursuing two primary objectives.
This was shared by Yevgeny Diky, former commander of the "Aidar" battalion and currently the director of the National Antarctic Scientific Center, during a broadcast on Radio NV. He stated that the occupiers aim to take control of the city to meet their logistical needs.
Firstly, Kupiansk is significant for Russia due to its railway network.
"If they capture Kupiansk, they gain the ability to transport ammunition and equipment via rail across the entire Slobozhanshchyna section of the front line. This significantly simplifies their logistics," Diky noted.
Secondly, the strategic importance of the Oskol River, which flows near Kupiansk, cannot be overlooked. Diky pointed out that the occupiers are trying to reach its left bank to establish a natural defense line. Such a division line would facilitate the maintenance of the front, as the river acts as a natural barrier against counterattacks by Ukrainian forces. If the front line becomes entrenched along the Oskol, it will hinder the Ukrainian defense forces' ability to launch a counteroffensive in that direction.
Diky also emphasized that the challenging situation regarding the mobilization of new Ukrainian fighters is affecting the overall state of defense. He mentioned that the number of recruits does not compensate for the sanitary losses, leading to a gradual decrease in the size of the Ukrainian army, while the Russian army continues to grow.