The UK Ministry of Defence has provided an update on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, focusing on the situation in the eastern Kharkiv Oblast.
The update highlights continued Russian pressure in the region, particularly near the town of Kupiansk.
According to the intelligence, “Russia has maintained pressure in the east of Ukraine’s Kharkiv oblast,” with Russian forces now positioned “within several hundred metres of the Oskil river in a narrow salient approximately 20km south of the town of Kupiansk.”
The report further notes the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces, stating, “It is likely that continued Russian attacks are complicating Ukrainian operations on the east bank of the Oskil.” In response to the intensifying situation, on 15 October 2024, “regional Ukrainian authorities ordered the civilian evacuation of several population centres in the area.”
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Defence indicates that Russia “will likely continue to make gains in the area in coming weeks.”
The report also points to Russia’s strategic interest in Kupiansk, mentioning that “Russian forces have been making sporadic attempts to regain control of Kupiansk since losing the town in a Ukrainian counter-offensive in September 2022.”
The town is particularly important due to its location on the Oskil River and its role as a “rail hub supporting Ukrainian operations in the area.”
The attack into Russia certainly showed chutzpah, however, was it at the cost of stalling Russia in other areas?
Well said and yes you are correct with it taking away drone groups, battalions and brigades who were better off being used to defend \ break through elsewhere
I certainly am not an expert I’m these matters but other than an opportunity to practice “all arms” whilst not under to much (initial) counter pressure, with some tactical success, I can only see strategic failure. This unfortunately seems to be the Ukraine experience as it strives to escape from its own soviet style mindset.
For those ‘experts’ who say Russia is finished militarily and incapable of confronting NATO and that our hollowed out forces are capable of engaging Russia I say you are either ignorant or living in a rose tinted vacuum! Russia has shown it’s capable of suffering multiple reversals, setback and tactical defeats. However it has the time and resources. We on the other hand have the resources for tactical success but so few troops, ammunition and capabilities to last more than 6 months. With North Korea now providing troops this is no time for rose tinted glasses.
Spot on RMJ. There are certainly a couple on here who constantly deride Russia as any threat to NATO. The Russian effort in Ukraine has frequently been inept, their tactics poor., their kit underperforming, their losses very high. But they learn, they keep the pressure on the front line, they adjust their tactics and switch to a war production economy and are still dictating the battle. We make a big mistake if we underestimate the Russian threat to NATO Europe. With a population twice ours and conscription, they can field a large army that dwarfsallied forces, particularly if Turkey sits… Read more »
Too right Cripes and with Trump the US could also walk away.
I think it’s nearly time for Ukraine to get round the table, the trouble is now Russia has its tails up there’re not interested and I can see them making a move on Odessa and cutting Ukraine off from the Black Sea and creating a land corridor to their enclave in Moldova. Then we’ll see Putins next land grab.
Its taking everything Russia has got for a stalemate with Eastern Ukraine. National mobilisation. Thousands of young Russians dead. Thousands of devastated families. For what. Some WW2 style shelling. Numerous Warships lost. Zero air superiority. So-called 5th gen fighters proven to be useless. Having to go cap in hand to North Korea for some more 70s tech and troops that don’t want to be there. Its not rose tinted glasses. It’s tactical reality. A conventional conflict with NATO and US forces would not look like this. Which is why Russia won’t step foot in a NATO nation. Because they know… Read more »
There are about 20 Ukrainian Battalions \ Brigades in that Kupiansk area!
Im more concerned about the Pokrovsk sector, which is very fragile