The lightning advance has set the scene for a looming confrontation in the two key areas, which are considered strategically important by both sides. Russia currently uses Kupiansk as a rail hub to resupply its forces and Izium as a launch pad for attacks south into the Donetsk region. Video taken by a Russian military journalist, Yevgeniy Poddubny, shows Russian helicopters arriving in the area and at least one unloading an armored vehicle. Poddubny reported that Russian military headquarters were using Mi-26 helicopters to reinforce units in Kharkiv with both men and armored vehicles, redeploying reserve troops to both Kupiansk and Izium. “Helicopters are dropping into airstrips across the contact line… The reinforcements will help stop any further advance by the Kiev regime,” Poddubny said. In a later report he said that Kupyansk had come under artillery fire from the Ukrainian armed forces and that a bridge over the Oskil River in the city had been badly damaged. “Our reserves are reaching the front line,” Poddubny said. “The defense of Kupyansk continues.” Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that his troops “liberated and took control of more than 30 settlements in the Kharkiv region.” “Measures to control and secure territory in some villages in the region are underway, we are gradually taking control of new settlements — we are returning the Ukrainian flag and protection for all our people everywhere,” Zelensky said in his daily address.
Scenes of destruction
Advancing Ukrainian troops reported scenes of devastation as they retake areas from Russian control. The head of the Kharkiv region’s military administration, Oleh Syniehubov, said he toured the newly liberated areas where the Russians “left broken infrastructure and houses, many trophies and piles of garbage” and posted photos of the scenes on Telegram. “People, without exaggeration, met our soldiers with tears in their eyes,” Syniehubov said. “Residents, of course, need help. Most villages do not have electricity or natural gas. In the near future, we will restore them and bring humanitarian aid.” He said the head of a liberated village had been arrested on suspicion of collaborating with Russian occupation forces and warned any other collaborators that “no traitor will escape responsibility”.
Falling morale
Ukraine says some Russian troops are now leaving because of “significant losses” they have suffered. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced on Friday that at least 15 desertions had taken place. The soldiers were ditching their uniforms and wearing civilian clothes in a bid to unite as they tried to return to Russian territory, it said. The past week has seen the most ambitious ground offensive by the Ukrainians since Russia launched its invasion. Video and satellite images geo-tagged by CNN show these advances include sustained attacks on command posts, ammunition depots and fuel reserves far behind the front lines. A senior US official said Ukrainian forces have had some success in attacking Russian supply lines, with the intention of cutting off and isolating Russian troops west of the Dnipro River.
