Russian troops from the "West" group have established control over the settlement of Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, said the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov after a visit to the group's base area. The information was disseminated by TASS.
According to Gerasimov, up to 800 servicemen of the Ukrainian armed forces remain in the blocked area near Kupyansk, with fighting continuing in the settlements of Kovsharovka and Glushkovka. He added that an inspection and "cleaning" is being carried out in Kupyansk-Uzlovoy itself of urban districts.
The Chief of the Russian General Staff also indicated that the joint group of Russian troops "continues the offensive in all directions" of the so-called special military operation. According to Russian data, 17 settlements have been "liberated" since the beginning of January, and a territory of over 500 sq. km has passed under Russian control.
According to the statement, Russian forces are also developing an offensive in the Rubtsovo and Krasnoliman directions, "completing the liberation" of Drobyshevo, Yarovaya and Sosnovoye. Actions are being conducted against surrounded Ukrainian formations on the eastern bank of the Oskol River. Street fighting is also reported for Krasny Liman and Ilichevka, as well as fighting in the area of the Svyatie Gori National Park.
Regarding the actions of the other groups, Gerasimov said that "North" has captured four settlements to expand the so-called security zone, "South" is fighting in Konstantinovka and advancing towards Slavyansk, with Bondarnoye, Zakotnoye and Privolnoye under control. The "East" group is advancing in the eastern part of the Zaporizhia region, and the "Dnepr" group is located 12-14 km from the southern and southeastern outskirts of Zaporizhia, having established control over four more settlements in January.
The information represents the position of the Russian side and has not been confirmed by independent sources or the Ukrainian authorities.