Stand behind Ukrainian independent journalism when it’s needed most. Help us reach 20,000 members.

Skip to content
Edit post

Military: Russia concentrating forces, on offensive in Lyman-Kupiansk direction

by Elsa Court July 17, 2023 8:36 PM 2 min read
A building lies in ruins after being destroyed during fighting between Ukrainian and Russian occupying forces in the liberated city of Lyman, Donetsk Oblast, on Oct. 20, 2022. (Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Russia is concentrating "more than 100,000 personnel, more than 900 tanks, more than 555 artillery systems, 370 MLRS" in the Lyman-Kupiansk direction, according to Serhii Cherevatyi, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Eastern Military Command.

Cherevatyi said on television on July 17 that Ukrainian soldiers are currently holding the defense.

Kupiansk was liberated in Ukraine's surprise counteroffensive in Kharkiv Oblast in September 2022. Lyman, in Donetsk Oblast, was liberated just weeks later.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia "continues to focus its main efforts on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Marinka axes," with heavy battles continuing.

Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's Ground Forces, also reported that Russian forces are on the offensive in the Kupiansk direction on July 17.

Syrskyi visited unit commanders at the front to adjust plans given the difficult conditions. He also presented a number of soldiers with awards.

Russia is attempting to gain ground in the Kupiansk area and continue "the offensive into the depth of our battle formations," Syrskyi was quoted by the Military Media Center, reporting that the operational situation in the eastern direction was difficult.

At the same time, he said that Russia is moving more troops into the area around Bakhmut, to try to prevent Ukrainian forces from advancing.

Bakhmut is one of the areas where Ukraine has been trying to advance during the ongoing counteroffensive that kicked off around June 5.

Ukraine war latest: US to formally allow European countries to train Ukrainians on F-16s
Key developments on July 16: * US to allow European countries to start F-16 training for Ukrainian pilots * Military reports advancing over 1 kilometer southeast * Russian forces strike Kharkiv, killing 1, injuring at least 3 * Explosions reported in occupied Sevastopol, Luhansk, Berdiansk, Mar…

Independent journalism needs a community —
not a paywall.

We’re working hard to show the world the truth of Russia’s brutal war — and we’re keeping it free for everyone, because reliable information should be available to all.

Our goal: reach 20,000 members to prove independent journalism can survive without paywalls, billionaires, or compromise. Will you help us do it?

Can we reach 20,000 members?

News Feed

11:51 PM

Trump 'very surprised, disappointed' at Russian attacks on Ukraine amid peace talks.

"I've gotten to see things I was very surprised at. Rockets being shot into cities like Kyiv during a negotiation that was maybe very close to ending," Trump said during a news conference in the Oval Office. "All of a sudden rockets got shot into a couple of cities and people died. I saw thing I was surprised at and I don't like being surprised, so I'm very disappointed in that way."
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.