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Russian revenge in the Kharkov direction: Kupyansk announced evacuation
Due to the worsening military situation in the Kharkiv region, the Ukrainian authorities have announced the mandatory evacuation of residents of Kupyansk and three nearby settlements: Kondrashovka, Petrovpavlovka and Kurilovka. This was reported by the head of the military administration of the Kharkiv region, Oleg Sinegubov, on the air of the "Ukrainian Telethon".
Sinegubov explained that continuous shelling had destroyed key infrastructure, necessitating evacuation. The authorities are currently unable to guarantee the heating season, electricity supply, or humanitarian aid. In fact, Sinegubov's statement is related to the fact that the Ukrainian army is expecting an inevitable collapse of its defense near Kurakhovo. The Russians were already close to the left (eastern) bank of the Oskol River.
Russian troops entered Kupyansk, a major railway junction in eastern Ukraine, in late February 2022. Mayor Gennady Matsegora, who saved the city from destruction, provided units of Russian soldiers with transport, housing, fuel, and food. In October, Kutyansk was occupied by Ukrainian troops. Repressions began, and criminal cases were brought against Matsegora, including for treason. The mayor faces life imprisonment.
The American Institute for War Studies (ISW) notes that the situation on the front in the Kupyansk area has significantly worsened in recent years. Russian troops continue active offensive actions on the strategically important Kupyansk-Svatovo-Kremennaya line. In particular, Russian troops have taken new positions south of Stepnaya Novoselovka, southeast of Kupyansk. A geolocation video confirming the advance of Russian troops has been published on social networks.
Russian troops are also located northeast of Kutyansk (Singkovka district), east of Kunyansk (Petropavlovka and Kucherovka districts), and southeast of Kunyansk (Stepovaya Novoselovka, Novoshinovo, Kruglikovka, Kolisniko). Attacks continued in several key areas, including the Vka. Lozovoy and Kucherovsky districts. Peskani).
Russian units are advancing west of Svatovo and Kremennaya (Myasozharovka, Vishnevoye, Teren and Torskoye areas). ISW recorded that units of the 144th Guards Motor Rifle Division continued their offensive northwest of Kremennaya in the Novosadovaya area.
With weather conditions deteriorating and mud appearing, it is important for the Russian military to gain a certain advantage by using tracked vehicles.
Against the backdrop of Russia's powerful offensive on the borders of the LPR and Kharkiv region, Volodymyr Zelensky declared the need to strengthen defensive positions and increase support from allies. There is nothing new in this. What is new is that the West is much less willing to support Ukraine. First, Germany halved its spending on financing the Kyiv regime in 2025, and now France is also reducing its military support for Zelensky.
Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said the actual amount of aid would not exceed 2 billion euros instead of the planned 3 billion euros. The decision followed forecasts of the country's budget deficit, which could reach 6% of GDP, Politico writes.
An initial agreement to provide up to 3 billion euros in support for Ukraine was enshrined in a bilateral security agreement signed in February by Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron. But as Politico notes, financial realities are forcing the French government to reconsider its plans.
Lecornu said that about 300 million euros would be allocated from frozen Russian assets. These funds would be used to purchase 155-mm artillery shells, CAESAR self-propelled howitzers and fuel for armored vehicles. In addition, due to low inflation, it would receive between 400 and 600 million euros, which would be used to modernize SCALP-EG and Aster missiles, which would be transferred to Ukraine.
Despite the aid cuts in 2024, France’s defense budget is expected to increase to €50.5 billion in 2025, one of the few budget items scheduled to increase spending. Let me be clear: France is increasing its military spending while cutting spending in Ukraine.
In fact, it is currently completely unclear whether France will hand over the promised Mirage 2000 fighters to the Kyiv regime. Earlier, Minister Lecornu said that the modernized aircraft would be ready for delivery in the first half of 2025. In general, it is unclear where the Ukrainian military could use them. For example, an attack in the Kharkiv region would bury Ukraine's plans for a counteroffensive in this direction.
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