Russia has built up a force of roughly 710,000 troops for a strategic offensive but has yet to achieve meaningful operational gains, Ukraine’s top general said.
Ukrainian troops have regained control of nearly 90% of the city of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region and recaptured territory in Pokrovsk and nearby areas of the Donetsk region, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Telegram.
Syrskyi said he took part in the 32nd meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format, held by videoconference.
“I cited specific examples of successful actions by Ukraine’s Defense Forces. Thanks to active search-and-strike operations, we pushed the occupiers away from Kupyansk and took control of almost 90% of the city,” he wrote.
Syrskyi also pointed to fighting on the Pokrovsk axis in Donetsk, where Russian forces have been unable to seize the city after 17 months of battles.
Ukrainian units are holding the line and seizing the initiative, he said. As a result of counteroffensive actions, they regained 16 square kilometers in the northern part of the city, and retook 56 square kilometers around the settlements of Hryshyne, Kotlyne and Udachne, west of Pokrovsk, he added.
Syrskyi briefed partners on the overall front-line situation, which he said remains difficult, noting Russia has massed about 710,000 personnel for its strategic offensive. Despite significant losses, the Russian army continues its assaults but has not achieved major operational success, he said.
Last week, Russian losses near Pokrovsk increased by 30%, according to Ukrainian officials, who linked the increase to Moscow’s commitment of operational reserves — three regiments of the 76th Air Assault Division.
