UK intelligence analyses Russian pressure in eastern Kharkiv Oblast

UK Defence Intelligence suggests that Russian forces will continue to make some progress near the city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast in the coming weeks.

Source: UK Defence Intelligence update on X (Twitter) dated 19 October, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The update says Russia is continuing its offensive in eastern Kharkiv Oblast, with Russian troops likely to be within a few hundred metres of the Oskil River in a narrow salient, approximately 20 km south of Kupiansk.

Russian attacks are likely hampering Ukrainian military operations on the eastern bank of the Oskil River. UK intelligence reports that on 15 October, civilians from several nearby settlements were ordered to evacuate.

"Russia will likely continue to make gains in the area in coming weeks. 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 situated on the Oskil river and is a rail hub supporting Ukrainian operations in the area," the update says.

Background: In its previous updates, UK Defence Intelligence analysed the Ukrainian strike on the oil terminal in the city of Feodosiia in occupied Crimea and characterised the downing of a Russian state-of-the-art Okhotnik (Hunter) UAV by Russian forces themselves as a costly and embarrassing failure.

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