Enemy advances in gray zone near Kozacha Lopan, - Trehubov
The enemy continues to exert pressure along the border in the Joint Forces Task Force’s area of responsibility, where 10 to 12 combat engagements are recorded daily.
Joint Forces Task Force spokesperson Viktor Trehubov said this, Censor.NET reports, citing Ukrinform.
"In recent days, we have had around 10–12 combat engagements a day in our area of responsibility, which extends from eastern Sumy region to the Kupiansk sector inclusive. The enemy is trying to exert pressure along the border and infiltrate along the line of contact. These efforts have not been very successful so far, partly because the weather is not helping: there are no leaves left on the trees, so the enemy cannot infiltrate very effectively. There are some attempts, though, and even a slight expansion near Kozacha Lopan. Although small, the enemy has nevertheless managed to expand the red zone slightly at the expense of the gray zone, which is, of course, a negative development. But overall, the enemy’s efforts are disproportionate to the results they achieve," Trehubov said.
What tactics is Russia using?
He stressed that the enemy’s tactics have not fundamentally changed since fiber-optic drones emerged, as the Russians are currently unable to use heavy equipment.
"When fiber-optic drones appeared, heavy equipment disappeared. That was a major change. It happened a year and a half ago, and since then we have not seen any technological changes with a comparable impact on the battlefield. Since then, infiltration in small groups has remained the only effective tactic for the Russians," the spokesperson explained.
Use of gas pipelines
Asked whether the enemy would expand its use of gas pipelines to advance deeper into Ukrainian territory, Trehubov said it would be unable to scale up this approach because gas pipelines are not available everywhere.
"There is nowhere to scale it up because large trunk gas pipelines are not everywhere; not every village has one. They use them in the Kupiansk area simply because the opportunity exists there: there is a trunk gas pipeline through which infantry could actually be moved. So they used it there. But this is not something that can be replicated where the necessary infrastructure does not exist," the spokesperson explained.
Situation in the Kupiansk area
Trehubov also reported that the situation in the Kupiansk area had not changed significantly, while the enemy had become more active toward the village of Radkivka.
"The Russians have now started pushing more actively toward the village of Radkivka, which is on the right bank, north of Kupiansk and west of Holubivka. Previously, they mostly brought troops in through Holubivka, but now their obvious plan is to get into Radkivka and push in from a slightly different side — still entering Kupiansk, but not directly from the north, rather from the northwest, I would say. That is where they have been directing their main offensive efforts over the past week. But without success," Trehubov said.
